The Municipal Chief Executive of Keta, Emmanuel Gemegah, has defended the implementation of a new emission levy on vehicles, which took effect from February 01.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) announced the Emissions Levy Act, 2023 (Act 1112), which imposes a levy on carbon dioxide and equivalent emissions on internal combustion engine vehicles to commence on February 01, 2024.
The levy has sparked controversy among sections of Ghanaians, with some considering it an additional burden on vehicle owners.
In an exclusive interview with Ghana News Agency on Thursday, the Municipal Chief Executive justified the collection of the levy, stating, “This act was passed in Parliament by all the parliamentarians from the two parties, they gave their authority to the executive to collect this levy for development of the nation.”
He referred to an international law; “The Paris Accord or Paris Agreement” which was adopted on 12th December 2015 and came into force on 4th November 2016. This agreement aims to limit the global average temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and promote the use of eco-friendly technology and green energy.
He also called on the Parliamentarians to help educate the public on it.
“I am calling on Mr. Kwame Gakpey, Mr. Richard Sefe and Madam Dzifa Gomashie to come down to educate our people on this new levy on how it came about, let us not make it look as if it was an imposition by the President or the Finance Minister on Ghanaians,” Mr. Gemegah said.
According to the act, Motorcycles and tricycles will be paying GHC75 per annum, Motor vehicles, buses, and coaches up to 3000 cubic centimetres will be charged GHC150 per annum, Motor vehicles, buses, and coaches above 3000 cubic centimetres will pay GHC300 per annum while Cargo trucks and articulated trucks are to pay GHC300 per annum.
Mr. Gemegah urged citizens to accept the payment of the levy, stating, “Taxes develop a nation, we cannot expect government to build our schools, construct roads and provide us water if we do not pay taxes and levies, so as citizens, let us embrace the culture of paying taxes to help change our communities.”
