Introduction
On 7th January 2025, the current administration was sworn into office amidst widespread goodwill, hope, and expectations.
Ghanaians, weary from years of economic turbulence, were beginning to feel a fresh wave of relief. Fuel prices were on the decline. Inflation had taken a significant dip. Public transport fares followed suit. The cost of foodstuffs began to ease. The Cedi showed signs of resilience.
Key policy reversals, such as the abolishment of the E-levy, the scrapping of the betting tax, and the review of the emission tax, all signaled a government in touch with the people. Additionally, first-year tertiary students had their fees refunded, and arrears of nurses’ trainee allowances were cleared—measures that put money directly back into the pockets of Ghanaians.
These were significant household savings and markers of a government making strides to improve livelihoods. Yet, despite this goodwill, a misstep in communication strategy around the newly introduced Energy Sector Levy threatens to erode this hard-earned trust.
The recent introduction of the Energy Sector Levy by the Government of Ghana is a prime example of what could have been a policy masterstroke but is now marred by public dissatisfaction, simply due to inadequate stakeholder engagement and poor communication.
But therein lies the paradox
Amid these gains, the introduction of the Energy Sector Levy, presented under a certificate of urgency without comprehensive stakeholder dialogue, is being viewed by many not as a progressive move to stabilise the energy sector, but as a breach of trust. The absence of a well-thought-out communication strategy to explain its necessity, scope, and expected duration has allowed misinformation, speculation, and even disinformation to take root.
Some sections of the public have already dubbed it a “dumsor tax,” while others believe it’s the E-levy reintroduced in disguise. These claims are not necessarily grounded in fact, but they have gained currency because the communication vacuum breeds speculation. The silence of key government communicators, especially those in the Ministry of Finance, Energy, and the Green Transition, has been deafening.
Why Stakeholder Engagement Matters
Stakeholder consultation is a cornerstone of democratic governance. For a policy as sensitive as a tax, early, consistent, and transparent engagement with all relevant stakeholders—civil society, the private sector, media, unions, faith-based organizations, and the general public—is essential.
This process not only solicits valuable input but also helps the public feel heard and respected, thereby increasing the chances of buy-in. With the government enjoying a fresh mandate and unprecedented goodwill, this was a prime moment to build consensus around energy challenges and the rationale for long-term solutions.
By framing the Energy Sector Levy within the context of energy independence, sustainability, and national resilience, the government could have positioned the levy not as a burden, but as a collective investment in Ghana’s future.
Effective stakeholder engagement would have allowed the government to: Address public concerns head-on, clarify how the funds would be used and monitored, outline how the levy fits within a broader energy transition strategy, and provide timelines and expected outcomes.
A Good Policy, Poorly Communicated
It is important to establish that Ghanaians are not necessarily against taxes. Citizens understand the importance of taxes in nation-building and infrastructure development, especially one designed to secure energy stability.
What has sparked concern is not the Energy Sector Levy itself, but how it was introduced—under a certificate of urgency, with little to no prior stakeholder engagement or public dialogue. This perceived rush raised eyebrows. The public deserves to know:
- What was the stakeholder engagement process?
- Why was the bill presented under a certificate of urgency?
- What is the roadmap for implementation?
- How long will Ghanaians be expected to pay this levy?
In the absence of clear answers, speculation, misinformation, and political propaganda have filled the void. The levy has already been nicknamed the “dumsor tax” by some, while others accuse the government of repackaging the abolished E-levy. Such transparency could have fostered trust and created ownership.
These are not just questions from a curious media; they are concerns from ordinary Ghanaians who bear the brunt of these decisions.
The Missing Communication Strategy
Public communication should never be a postscript to policy. Every major government policy, especially one involving public contribution through taxation, must be accompanied by a comprehensive communication strategy.
Every sound policy requires a corresponding communication strategy. It is not enough to have technical justifications or macroeconomic models that support a policy.
In the court of public opinion, how a policy is explained is just as important as what the policy is. Where were the heads of communication and public affairs of the implementing ministries and agencies? Why wasn’t there a multi-sectoral communication platform created for dialogue?
These questions go to the heart of the matter. The role of communication is not merely to inform but to engage, educate, and win public trust. In a democratic dispensation, effective governance thrives on transparency, dialogue, and inclusion. The lack of consultation implies a missed opportunity to involve civil society, industry stakeholders, professional associations, and ordinary citizens who bear the brunt of new levies.
The Way Forward: Goodwill is Currency, Spend it Wisely
It is not too late for the government to correct the communication missteps. The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition must launch a robust public education campaign. This effort must go beyond press releases and should include:
- Community durbars and town hall meetings
- Radio and TV panel discussions in local languages.
- Social media engagement using infographics, videos, and FAQs.
- Engagement with faith-based organizations and traditional leaders.
Above all, the government must listen not just speak. Governance is not only about decision-making; it is also about building consensus and sustaining trust.
Ghana’s energy future is too important to be undermined by avoidable communication failures. With all the positive policy shifts made in the first six months of 2025, the government had a golden opportunity to rally Ghanaians behind the Energy Sector Levy as a shared national responsibility.
Unfortunately, the absence of proactive engagement and poor communication turned an opportunity into a challenge. It’s time to turn the tide. The government must use the same zeal it showed in reversing unpopular taxes to invest in people-centred communication.
For policies to succeed, especially those involving the public’s purse, transparency and engagement are not optional—they are essential.
By: Azure Imoro Abdulai
The writer is a journalist and communication specialist with expertise in political and developmental communication, sustainability advocacy, and public policy engagement.
