The Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has disclosed that he warned President Akufo-Addo against interfering with the Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA).
According to him, he told Akufo-Addo that such actions could potentially bring Ghana back into the era of ‘dumsor,’ referring to the country’s previous power crisis.
Mahama made these remarks during a meeting with members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) on April 8, 2024.
“I advised President Akufo-Addo not to tamper with ESLA, as it could potentially reignite dumsor,” he remarked.
Referencing the current power crisis, the former president emphasized his counsel to the incumbent president concerning the energy sector levy.
During Mahama’s administration, amidst the height of the power crisis, the NDC introduced the Energy Sector Levy Act (ESLA) in 2015 as part of efforts to stabilize Ghana’s energy sector and mitigate the impacts of the power crisis.
The levy, imposed on petroleum products and electricity consumption, aimed to generate revenue to settle all energy-related legacy debts totaling GH¢14bn by the end of 2020.
ESLA amassed over GH¢30bn in six years but was securitized and extended until 2035 by the Akufo-Addo government.