The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has formally requested the Parliament of Ghana to review the Emission Levy Bill. The GPRTU is concerned about the potential impact of the bill on its members and the transport industry as a whole. The union believes that a thorough review of the bill is necessary to ensure that it strikes the right balance between environmental protection and the economic viability of the transport sector. The GPRTU looks forward to engaging in constructive dialogue with Parliament to address its concerns and work towards a mutually beneficial solution.
The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has announced that it submitted a proposal to Parliament for the reconsideration of the Emission Levy Bill, scheduled for implementation in 2024.
The Emissions Levy Bill, approved by Parliament, imposes an annual charge of GH¢100 on all owners of petrol and diesel cars, starting from January 2024.
Government Objective
The government’s objective with this tax is to encourage the use of environmentally friendly energy sources for vehicle power, aligning with its commitment to climate-positive actions and carbon offset initiatives.
Concerns Raised by the GPRTU
The Union has expressed concerns about the bill, asserting that it will add to the excessive tax burden on the transport sector.
Consequently, the union has threatened to increase fares by not less than 60 percent.
Opposition and Proposal
The Minority in Parliament had earlier opposed the passage of the Bill.
Hope for Positive Outcome
In an interview with Citi News, the Industrial Relations Officer for GPRTU, Abass Imoro, expressed hope that the outcome of the proposal would be positive.
“We will officially resume on January 12, 2024, from the Christmas break, so we are hopeful that by the time we resume, we might have received a letter from Parliament. In an institution like Parliament, you can’t write to them, and they will overlook it; definitely, we shall hear from them. When we hear from them, then we continue from there. Let’s all hope for the best because the country is for all of us, and we all wish to live happily. If you say pollution, and you say emission somewhere, I think it’s the grammar that has been changed. It all means the same thing, so we are creating awareness that we are already paying something on that,” Abass Imoro said.
