Parliament has approved the controversial 17.5% special tax on petroleum products.
The approval was given by only the Majority as the Minority staged a walkout on the debate.
According to Finance Minister Seth Terkper who presented the bill to the House under the certificate of urgency, the Special Petroleum Tax law is part of measures adopted by government to increase revenue generation and improve efficiency on revenue collection from petroleum products.
The Minority however stated emphatically that they will not allow Ghanaians pay more for fuel since world prices of crude oil have dropped significantly.
On the Majority’s insistence to approve the bill, they walked out of the House.
Efforts by the First Deputy Speaker, Ebo Barton Oduro to get the Minority to rescind their decision proved futile.
According to Minority leader, Osei Mensah Kyei Bonsu, the approval was “appalling” and proved further that the government did not care about the poor in the country.
The Bill is expected to be presented to the President today to be signed into law.