Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Ampem Nyarko, revealed that the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) government did not put the Emissions Levy into action, even though it had received parliamentary approval.
During his address to Parliament on Thursday, Mr. Nyarko clarified that while the legislative framework for the levy was established, various practical issues prevented its implementation, leading to no revenue being generated.
“The act imposes an emissions levy on carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from designated sectors, including internal combustion vehicles, and addresses related matters. Although the legal structure was established, the actual implementation of the levy encountered delays. Consequently, no revenue was collected from the levy during the previous administrations,” he remarked.
His remarks follow Parliament’s decision on March 26 to repeal both the Emissions Levy and the Betting Tax. This decision was met with approval from businesses, individuals, and industry stakeholders who had expressed concerns about the financial burden these taxes imposed on their operations and livelihoods.
The Emissions Levy was introduced as part of initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions and fostering environmental sustainability, but it faced significant opposition—especially from vehicle owners and business operators—who contended that the policy raised their living and operational costs.
Source: HotFmOnline.com
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