GPRTU petitions Parliament to review Emission Levy Law

Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has submitted a proposal to Parliament to reconsider the Emission Levy Bill, which is set to be implemented in 2024. This bill, approved by Parliament, introduces an annual charge of GH¢100for all petrol and diesel car owners, starting in January 2024.

The government’s aim is to promote the use of environmentally friendly energy for vehicles, aligning with their commitment to climate-positive actions and carbon offset initiatives. However, the Union has raised concerns about the bill, stating that it will further burden the already heavily-taxed transport sector.

As a result, the union has threatened to increase fares by at least 60 percent. Previously, the Minority in Parliament opposed the passage of the Bill. Abass Imoro, the Industrial Relations Officer for GPRTU, expressed hope in an interview with Citi News that the proposal’s outcome will be favorable. He mentioned that the union expects to receive a response from Parliament when they resume from the Christmas break on January 12, 2024.

Abass Imoro emphasized the importance of the issue, stating that pollution and emissions essentially refer to the same thing. The union’s goal is to raise awareness that they are already paying for these concerns.