The Coalition of Concerned Youth (CCY) has added its voice to the growing wave of public opposition to the government’s newly introduced Dumsor Levy, describing the policy as unjustified, unfair, and insensitive to the economic struggles of ordinary Ghanaians.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Kumasi, the Executive Director of CCY, Mr. Richard Mensah, did not hold back in his criticism of the NDC administration. He accused the government of betraying the trust of the people by introducing a levy that directly contradicts its own campaign promises.
“This Dumso Levy is not a solution — it’s a slap in the face of struggling Ghanaians,” Mr. Mensah stated. “It is unacceptable that a government which pledged to resolve the country’s power crisis without additional financial pressure is now taxing us under the guise of fixing the same problem.”
According to the Coalition, the levy lacks any clear implementation timeline or framework, creating doubts about how the funds will be managed and whether they will truly be used to address the nation’s long-standing power instability. Mr. Mensah said the absence of transparency only reinforces suspicions that the levy is a revenue-generating tool disguised as an energy policy.
He further criticized the inconsistency of government leaders, many of whom were vocal critics of the Akufo-Addo-led administration’s Electronic Levy (E-Levy), yet are now silent or supportive of the Dumso Levy.
“We all remember how certain individuals campaigned against the E-Levy with so much passion and claimed they were standing with the people. Where are those voices today?” he questioned. “This hypocrisy must not go unchallenged.”
The CCY also highlighted the immediate impacts of the levy on the transport sector, noting that commercial drivers are facing increasing costs without corresponding government support. In many areas, drivers are being asked to absorb the burden by reducing fares, a move the Coalition describes as economically dangerous and socially unfair.
Mr. Mensah called on President John Dramani Mahama and the Energy Minister to honor their electoral commitments and immediately reconsider the Dumsor Levy. “If they truly believe in the voices of the people, then this levy must be withdrawn. It is unjust, it is unnecessary, and it is unacceptable.”
The Coalition warned that if the government fails to act swiftly, it would trigger mass mobilization and peaceful demonstrations across the country.
“We are prepared to defend the interests of the Ghanaian youth. We will not sit back and watch this country slide into a state where the people are punished for the government’s failures,” Mr. Mensah declared.
The Coalition of Concerned Youth is urging all well-meaning Ghanaians, civil society groups, and opinion leaders to add their voices to the demand for immediate withdrawal of the levy.
For further details, interviews, or media inquiries, contact Mr. Richard Mensah on 0257477677 or 0200262790.
