Ghana Roundup: Emissions levy, HIV survey, IMF conditionalities

Emissions Levy

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced the enforcement of the Emissions Levy Act, 2023 (Act 1112), beginning February 1, 2024. This legislation imposes a levy on carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles. The implementation of the Emissions Levy aligns with the government's commitment to address greenhouse gas emissions, promote eco-friendly technology, and encourage the use of green energy. The measure aims to enhance environmental management and regulate overall levels of air and water pollution, Graphic Online reports. The levy amounts vary depending on the vehicle type and engine capacity. Motorcycles and tricycles are required to pay GH₵75 (approximately US$6) annually, while motor vehicles, buses, and coaches up to 3000 cc must pay GH₵150 (approximately US$12) per annum. Vehicles, buses, and coaches exceeding 3000 cc, cargo trucks, and articulated trucks are subject to an annual fee of GH₵300 (approximately US$24).

HIV/AIDs Survey

The 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) has revealed low condom use among individuals with multiple sexual partners in the country. The survey focused on men aged 15 to 24 and women in the same age group, with 24.7% and 17.1%, respectively, having two or more sexual partners, local news website Graphic Online has reported. Among this group, 28.2% of men and 13.1% of women engaged in sexual intercourse with non-cohabiting partners. In the broader age range of 15 to 49 years, 35% of men and 23% of women had sex with non-cohabiting partners, with 11% of females and 28% of males using condoms during such encounters. The acting Director of Demography at the Ghana Statistical Service, Godwin Odei Gyebi, emphasized the need for extensive campaigns on HIV/AIDS prevention based on the survey data. The GDHS covered 18,540 households across all 16 regions and 261 districts, conducting interviews with 17,933 households, 15,014 women aged 15 to 49, and 7,044 men aged 15 to 59.

Sustainable Ocean Plan:

The SDGs Advisory Unit in the Office of the President, in collaboration with CSIR-Water Research Institute and with support from the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) and the UNESCO Office in Accra, organized a two-day national training on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). The training, conducted from January 29 to 30, aimed to educate key state and non-state actors in the ocean space, My Joy Online reports. It focused on MSP concepts, best practices, and innovative approaches to utilizing MSP for safeguarding ocean health and promoting Ghana's Blue Economy. “Our ocean does not have a voice. We, collectively, have to be the voice of the ocean and the guardians of this cardinal source of life. It is in our enlightened self-interest to do so. Protecting and restoring the health of our oceans is not only a moral imperative. It is an absolute necessity,” said Dr. Eugene Owusu, Special Advisor to the President on the SDGs. Participants included senior officials from government and civil society organizations, such as the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation; the Environmental Protection Agency; the Petroleum Commission; the Fisheries Commission; and the Ghana Police.

Fuel prices

Starting on February 1, 2024, fuel prices are anticipated to experience a slight increase, as reported by the Institute for Energy Securities (IES). This adjustment is attributed to a marginal rise in the cost of finished petroleum products and the depreciation of the Ghanaian cedi. Specifically, the prices of petrol and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) are expected to rise by 2%, while the price of diesel will see a 3% increase. “In the coming days, consumers going to the pumps are likely to see the following changes: an increase in the price of gasoline [petrol] by 2%, a 3% increase in the price of gasoline [diesel], and a 2% increase in the LPG price, largely as a combined effect of the Ghana cedi depreciation and the international market price rise for the products,” the IES is quoted by My Joy Online.

IMF conditionalities

The British government has praised Ghana for its effective management of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditionalities. The UK government commended Ghana for successfully adhering to the terms of the bailout agreements without any defaults. It encouraged Ghana to continue implementing the agreed-upon conditions, emphasizing that this approach would help alleviate economic pressures on the Ghanaian population, the Daily Guide Network reported. The commendation led to the release of two tranches of bailout packages to Ghana. The acknowledgement took place during the ninth meeting of the UK-Ghana Business Council (UKGBC) at the Jubilee House. The meeting, co-chaired by Vice President Bawumia and the UK Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, saw Mitchell express satisfaction with Ghana's handling of the IMF deal.