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Parliament Passes Energy Sector Levies Bill 2026 to Tackle Fuel Tax Evasion and Subsidy Abuse

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Parliament has approved the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Bill, 2026, introducing significant changes to close tax loopholes, prevent abuse of fuel subsidies, and strengthen revenue collection in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.

The legislation amends the Energy Sector Levies Act, 2025, by increasing the Energy Sector Shortfall and Debt Repayment Levy on fuel oil from GH¢0.24 per litre to GH¢1.93 per litre, bringing it in line with the levy charged on diesel and marine gas oil.

In addition, the amended law extends the Road Fund Levy to fuel oil, a move the government believes will help eliminate tax avoidance and improve transparency in the petroleum industry.

Presenting the Bill to Parliament, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson explained that some importers have been exploiting the existing tax regime by importing diesel but falsely declaring it as fuel oil to enjoy lower tax rates.

According to him, the fraudulent practice has reduced government revenue while limiting access to fuel oil for legitimate industrial users who depend on the product for production.

Dr Forson said the amendment introduces a new refund system designed to maintain tax relief for industries while preventing abuse.

Under the new arrangement, companies importing fuel oil for industrial use will pay all applicable levies upfront before later applying for a refund, replacing the previous system where tax exemptions were granted before importation.

He stressed that the reform changes the timing of the exemption rather than eliminating it.

“Some individuals are taking advantage and smuggling, buying diesel and disguising it as fuel oil to benefit from tax exemptions. We will continue to support industries with these tax exemptions, but instead of receiving them before importation (ex-ante), they will now receive them after payment (ex-post) through a refund process,” Dr Forson told Parliament.

The Finance  Minister further assured Ghanaians that the amendment does not introduce new taxes on petroleum products.

He explained that fuel oil is primarily used by industries rather than motorists, and the government’s objective is to protect genuine manufacturers while preventing fraudulent claims.

To make the new system more efficient, the government will also amend the Revenue Administration Act to reduce the processing period for tax refunds on industrial fuel oil purchases from 90 days to just 14 days.

Government believes the reforms will safeguard fuel subsidy programmes, curb tax evasion, enhance accountability, and ensure that incentives meant for industries benefit the intended recipients rather than being exploited for private gain.

The Energy Sector Levies Bill 2026 is expected to strengthen revenue mobilisation while improving the integrity of Ghana’s petroleum tax and subsidy framework.

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VIP Jeoun Bus Robbery Leaves Five Shot as Armed Men Attack Two Coaches on Ghana Highways

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A VIP Jeoun bus robbery has left five people with gunshot wounds after armed robbers ambushed one of the company’s coaches on the Accra-Kumasi Highway late Thursday night. Just hours later, they targeted another bus on the Kumasi-Sunyani Highway.

The first attack occurred at approximately 11:00 p.m. on July 30, 2026, along the stretch between Apedwa Junction, Nkronso, Akooko, and Akyem Asafo. The armed robbers reportedly used a vehicle to block the highway before launching a coordinated assault on motorists.

According to a statement issued by VIP Jeoun on Friday, July 31, three commercial buses became trapped after the criminals set up the roadblock, leaving passengers vulnerable to the attack. The company’s coach, which was travelling from Accra to Sunyani, came under heavy gunfire. As a result, the driver, his mate, and three passengers sustained gunshot injuries.

The injured were rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. The driver was later transferred to the 37 Military Hospital for specialised medical care.

VIP Jeoun reported that officers from the Suhum Divisional Police Command responded quickly after receiving reports of the robbery. The police engaged the armed robbers in a gun battle, forcing them to flee the scene. Officers subsequently cleared the obstruction from the highway, restoring the flow of traffic.

The company commended the police for their swift intervention, which prevented further casualties and allowed the road to reopen to motorists.

In a separate incident at around 1:00 a.m., another attempted robbery occurred involving a VIP Jeoun bus at Potrikrom on the Kumasi-Sunyani Highway. The robbers opened fire on the coach, damaging its windscreen. However, an armed security escort travelling on board returned fire, forcing the attackers to retreat before they could rob the passengers or take control of the vehicle.

A police patrol team later arrived at the scene to secure the area, and no injuries were reported in the second incident.

Following these consecutive attacks, VIP Jeoun reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the lives of its passengers and staff. The company stated that it remains dedicated to providing safe, secure, and reliable transport services across the country, despite the recent security incidents. They also expressed appreciation to the Ghana Police Service for its prompt response.

The VIP Jeoun bus robberies have raised concerns about the increasing incidents of highway robbery on major roads, leading many travellers to call for intensified police patrols and enhanced security measures to safeguard commuters.

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Yakubu Mohammed Issues Unreserved Apology Over Controversial Comment to Schoolgirl

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Member of Parliament for Ahafo Ano South East, Hon. Yakubu Mohammed, has issued an unreserved and unqualified apology following public backlash over a comment he made to a basic school pupil during a visit to Parliament House.

The Yakubu Mohammed apology, contained in a statement dated July 31, 2026, follows the circulation of a viral video showing the MP describing a pupil from The Citadel School in the Sagnarigu Constituency as “beautiful” and saying he would marry her when she grows up.

The remark sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many expressing concern over the appropriateness of the statement.

Addressing the issue, the legislator explained that his comment was made within the context of the long-standing playful cultural relationship between the Mossi and Dagomba ethnic groups.

According to him, as a Mossi speaking to members of the Dagomba community, his remarks were intended as part of the friendly exchanges that have historically existed between the two groups and were not meant to offend anyone.

He stressed that the statement was never intended to cause harm, disrespect, embarrassment or discomfort to the pupil, her family, the school authorities, the Dagomba community or the general public.

Despite the explanation, Yakubu Mohammed admitted that the comment was inappropriate because it involved a child.

“I fully acknowledge that, irrespective of my intention or the traditional context in which the statement was made, the comment was inappropriate because it involved a child,” he stated.

In the Yakubu Mohammed apology, the MP expressed deep regret over his choice of words and offered an unreserved apology to the relevant authorities, the management of The Citadel School, the pupil, her parents and family, and the general public.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the responsibilities of his office, noting that he recognises the impact of his words and public conduct.

“As a Member of Parliament, I recognise the responsibility attached to my words and public conduct. I remain firmly committed to protecting and respecting the dignity, welfare and rights of every child,” he said.

Yakubu Mohammed concluded the statement by once again extending his sincere and unqualified apology, saying he deeply regrets the incident and the offence his remarks may have caused.

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Mahama honours James Victor Gbeho’s legacy of service and diplomacy

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President John Dramani Mahama on Friday honoured the late Ambassador James Victor Gbeho’s lifetime of dedicated service to Ghana and the international community, describing him as a distinguished statesman, diplomat and nation builder whose legacy will continue to inspire generations.

The President joined family members, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and mourners at the state funeral of the former Foreign Affairs Minister and former President of the ECOWAS Commission.

In a tribute delivered on his behalf by Presidential Adviser and Special Aide, Madam Joyce Bawah Mogtari, President Mahama said Ambassador Gbeho embodied integrity, professionalism and patriotism throughout more than five decades of public service.

Born in January 1935 in Keta in the Volta Region, Ambassador Gbeho was the son of Philip Gbeho, who arranged Ghana’s National Anthem. According to the tribute, he inherited a profound sense of duty to the nation and devoted his life to advancing Ghana’s interests at home and abroad.

“Representing one’s country was not simply an assignment but a sacred trust,” the President said, adding that wherever Ambassador Gbeho served, “Ghana’s flag flew a little higher because it was represented by a man of exceptional integrity, sound judgment and remarkable intellect.”

President Mahama highlighted Ambassador Gbeho’s decade-long service as Ghana’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from 1980 to 1990, describing it as one of the longest and most distinguished diplomatic postings in the country’s history.

He also praised the late diplomat’s tenure as Minister for Foreign Affairs under President Jerry John Rawlings from 1997 to 2001, recalling that he had the privilege of serving alongside him in Parliament during that period and witnessing his unwavering commitment to Ghana’s national interest.

The tribute further recognised Ambassador Gbeho’s international assignments as the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, ECOWAS Special Representative for Liberia and later President of the ECOWAS Commission, where he played key roles in promoting peacebuilding, dialogue and regional integration.

President Mahama also acknowledged Ambassador Gbeho’s service as Senior Adviser to the late President John Evans Atta Mills, describing him as a trusted counsellor who continued to place his wealth of experience at the service of the Republic.

Describing him as one of Ghana’s rare nation builders, the President said Ambassador Gbeho never sought personal glory but remained committed to serving his country with honour.

“His voice may now be silent, but the respect he earned for Ghana will continue to speak long after his generation has passed,” the tribute said.

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Dzorwulu Highway accident: Child dies after school bus crash with tipper truck in Accra

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A child receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Police Hospital after the Dzorwulu Highway accident has died.

The sad development was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), Assistant Divisional Officer I (ADO I) Alex King Nartey, in a post shared on his Facebook page.

ADO I Nartey expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the deceased child to rest in peace.

The child was among several pupils who sustained injuries in the tragic Dzorwulu Highway accident, which occurred on Thursday, July 30, along the Dzorwulu–Accra Mall stretch of the N1 Highway in Accra.

The crash involved a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter school bus carrying about 11 lower primary school pupils and a loaded tipper truck.

According to preliminary investigations, the tipper truck reportedly rammed into the rear of the school bus, which bears registration number GT 5717-14.

The children, aged between three and 10 years, were travelling from Ashaiman to Accra in the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter bus when the collision occurred.

Following the impact, emergency responders rushed to the scene to rescue the injured children, who were transported to various health facilities for treatment. The deceased child had been receiving critical care at the Police Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit before succumbing to the injuries.

The Dzorwulu Highway accident has sparked renewed concerns over road safety, particularly the transportation of schoolchildren on Ghana’s highways. Authorities are expected to continue investigations into the circumstances that led to the fatal collision.

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Government proposes capping ministers at 60.

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The government proposes capping ministers at 60; Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has announced this as part of the government’s response to the Constitution Review Committee’s (CRC) recommendations on constitutional reforms.

Addressing journalists on Thursday, July 30, Dr Ayine said the government has accepted in principle the recommendation to place a limit on the number of Ministers of State to prevent the Executive from becoming excessively large. However, it has proposed a maximum of 60 ministers, instead of the Constitution Review Committee’s recommendation of 57 ministers.

The Constitution Review Committee had recommended amending Article 78(2) of the 1992 Constitution to cap the total number of Ministers of State at three times the size of Cabinet. Since the Constitution limits Cabinet Ministers to 19, the committee’s proposal would have restricted the total number of ministers to 57. The committee also proposed barring the appointment of Deputy Regional Ministers.

Explaining the government’s position, Dr Ayine said Government proposes capping ministers at 60 because it agrees that a ceiling is necessary to promote efficiency and reduce the size of the Executive, while still giving the President sufficient flexibility in constituting a government.

According to the government’s Position Paper, “The Government agrees that a ceiling on the total number of Ministers is desirable to prevent a bloated Executive arm of government. However, rather than fixing the cap at three times the Cabinet size, the Government proposes a cap of 60 Ministers of State. This provides the President with some flexibility while still imposing a meaningful constraint.”

The government, however, rejected the committee’s recommendation to prohibit Members of Parliament from being appointed as Ministers of State, Deputy Ministers or Regional Ministers.

Dr Ayine explained that the President should retain the discretion to appoint ministers from within or outside Parliament, arguing that Members of Parliament contribute valuable legislative experience and constituency knowledge to the Executive.

He added that Ghana’s hybrid system of government strikes an appropriate balance between a presidential and parliamentary system and should therefore be preserved. Instead, the government proposes deleting the constitutional requirement that the majority of ministers must be appointed from among Members of Parliament, allowing the President to appoint ministers from Parliament or outside Parliament as deemed appropriate.

Government proposes capping ministers at 60 as part of a broader package of constitutional reforms aimed at improving governance, strengthening accountability and making the Executive more efficient while preserving the President’s flexibility in forming a government.

If approved through the constitutional amendment process, the proposed changes will redefine the size and composition of future governments under Ghana’s Fourth Republic.

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