Despite receiving parliamentary approval, the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration failed to implement the Emissions Levy, according to Thomas Ampem Nyarko, deputy minister of finance.
Speaking to Parliament on Thursday, Mr. Nyarko clarified that while the levy’s legislative foundation was finished, implementation was hampered by real-world issues, which prevented any money from being collected.
“The act imposes an emissions levy on carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from specified sectors, internal combustion vehicles, and provides for related matters. Although the legal framework was put in place, the actual operationalization of the levy faced implementation delays. As a result, no revenue was generated from the levy under the previous administrations,” he stated.
His remarks follow the removal of the Betting Tax and the Emissions Levy by Parliament on March 26. Businesses, people, and industry stakeholders who had expressed concerns about the financial burden these tariffs had on operations and livelihoods overwhelmingly applauded the action.
The Emission Levy, which was implemented in an attempt to lower carbon emissions and advance environmental sustainability, was fiercely opposed, especially by car owners and business owners who claimed it raised their expenses for living and conducting business.
