Minority Chief Whip in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Adaklu, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has criticized the government for proceeding with the implementation of the Vehicle Emission Tax, describing it as a deceptive way of reintroducing road tolls.
Agbodza asserted that the tax, which came into effect on February 1, 2024, is not aimed at reducing emissions or combating climate change. Instead, he alleges it is a method of extracting money from motorists under the guise of environmental concerns.
In his response on X, Kwame Agbodza challenged the government to provide clear explanations on how the tax revenue will be utilized to address environmental issues. He questioned the transparency of the government’s motives behind the implementation of the Vehicle Emission Tax.
According to Agbodza, the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, bears responsibility for introducing what he labeled a draconian tax. He expressed skepticism about the government’s sincerity, stating, “Vehicle Emission Tax is nothing but the reintroduction of ROAD TOLLS. It has nothing to do with emissions and climate change mitigation. Government is not being honest with Ghanaians about it. If it were to be about Climate Change, they should have been telling us how the specific amounts collected will be applied.
Dr Bawumia is to blame for the introduction of this new DRACONIAN EMISSION TAX.”
Meanwhile, the new Vehicle Emission Tax imposes varying annual fees on different vehicle types:
- Motorcycles & tricycles: GHS75 per annum
- Motor vehicles, buses, and coaches up to 3000 cc: GHS150 per annum
- Motor vehicles, buses, and coaches above 3000 cc: GHS300 per annum
- Cargo trucks and articulated trucks: GHS300 per annum