“Tell Ghanaians where the money goes” – KSM urges transparency on GH¢1 fuel levy

Renowned satirist and veteran broadcaster Kwaku Sintim-Misa (KSM) has called on the government to be more transparent about how it uses tax revenue, particularly funds generated from the newly introduced GH¢1 fuel levy.

In a video message shared on his YouTube channel, KSM directed his appeal to Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, suggesting that public trust hinges not on the existence of taxes, but on the clarity surrounding how those funds are managed.

“No Ghanaian I know is afraid to pay taxes. They are only hesitant because they don’t know what politicians do with the money. Tell them, ‘this is how much we are getting from the levy, this is how much we have spent and where we have spent the money.’ Let it not be on paper; let it be transparent,” he said.

KSM proposed that the government should publish quarterly updates detailing the exact sums collected from specific levies like the GH¢1 fuel charge, along with full disclosure of spending breakdowns. Such transparency, he argued, would help foster a culture of accountability and civic cooperation.

His remarks come on the heels of Ghana’s Parliament passing the Energy Sector Levy (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The bill authorizes a GH¢1-per-litre tax on petroleum products to help settle the country’s ballooning energy sector debt, which stood at $3.1 billion as of March 2025.

Government projections suggest the levy could generate GH¢5.7 billion annually, intended for clearing arrears, easing the burden of legacy debts, and funding fuel procurement for power generation.

Yet the policy has not been welcomed by all. Several civil society organisations and advocacy groups have criticized the levy, warning it could deepen economic hardship for everyday Ghanaians.

These groups argue that even a slight increase in fuel costs can send shockwaves through the economy, especially in transport and food pricing, ultimately inflating the cost of living.

Still, KSM believes the key issue isn’t whether citizens are willing to pay, but whether government officials are willing to open up the books.

Watch his remarks below.