55% of Ghanaians support ‘Dumsor’ Levy – Survey

A new survey by Global InfoAnalytics has revealed a surprising level of public support for Ghana’s recently suspended Energy Sector Levy, commonly known as the “Dumsor Levy”.

Contrary to widespread perception of opposition, the poll indicates that 55% of Ghanaian voters actually support the levy, which adds GH₵1 to every litre of fuel.

The survey, conducted by Mussa K. Dankwah, Pollster and Head of Research at Global InfoAnalytics, shows that while a majority supports the levy, 22% of voters opposed it, with a significant 23% remaining neutral.

The poll, an online survey conducted from May 10 to May 20, 2025, involved a sample size of 1,092 respondents through probability random online sampling. It boasts a 99% confidence level with a margin of error of ±3.82%.

The “Dumsor Levy” (officially the Energy Sector Levies (Amendment) Act 2025) was enacted to tackle Ghana’s substantial energy sector debt, which stood at over US$3.1 billion as of March 2025.

Its purpose was also to secure funds for the procurement of liquid fuels for thermal power plants, aiming to ensure a stable electricity supply and prevent a return to the country’s infamous erratic power outages, locally known as ‘dumsor’.

However, the levy, initially slated for implementation on June 9, faced immediate and strong pushback from various stakeholders, including transport unions and the Minority in Parliament.

This public pressure led the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to first delay and then indefinitely postpone its collection. The government cited global crude oil price volatility as a reason for the suspension, a justification that critics largely dismissed.

Mussa K. Dankwah’s findings from Global InfoAnalytics now paint a different picture of public sentiment.

The substantial support suggests that many Ghanaians may view the levy as a necessary, albeit difficult, sacrifice to ensure a consistent and reliable power supply, a problem that has historically plagued the nation and severely impacted businesses and daily life.

The high cost of operating on unstable electricity, including equipment damage and the reliance on expensive generators, might have influenced this pragmatic view among voters.

The survey’s release comes at a time when Ghanaians are already grappling with a 2.45% increase in electricity tariffs, effective July 1, 2025, as announced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

This additional cost highlights the ongoing financial pressures on consumers, making the support for another levy, even a suspended one, a notable revelation.

The results from Global InfoAnalytics could reignite discussions around the “Dumsor Levy” and its potential reintroduction.

The data suggests that, despite initial opposition from organised groups, a silent majority of Ghanaians might prioritise energy stability, even if it comes with an added financial burden.

The ball is now in the government’s court to decide how it will leverage this perceived public willingness to address the perennial challenges of Ghana’s energy sector.

Below is the details of the survey.

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