Mid-Year Budget Review: Ghanaians May Pay More as Gov’t Proposes 30–40% Hike in Statutory Fees and Charges – Patrick Boamah
Ghanaians should prepare for a significant upward adjustment in statutory fees and charges as part of revenue-enhancing measures expected in the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review, to be presented to Parliament today, July 24, by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
Chairman of Parliament’s Subsidiary Legislation Committee and Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Patrick Yaw Boamah, disclosed in a Facebook post on Wednesday, July 23, that the Ministry of Finance is proposing a 30% to 40% increase in statutory fees and charges under new Regulations currently under review by the Committee.
“Ghanaians should expect a 30% to 40% increase in fees and charges, as proposed in the new Fees and Charges Regulations set to be laid before Parliament by the Minister for Finance. The proposal is currently before the Subsidiary Legislation Committee for pre-laying consideration,” Mr Boamah stated.
The fees and charges increment proposal, if approved, will form part of a wider set of fiscal reforms aimed at improving domestic revenue mobilisation as government seeks to consolidate economic gains under its three-year IMF-supported Post-COVID Programme for Economic Growth (PC-PEG).
The 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review is expected to provide an update on revenue performance, expenditure execution, debt servicing outlays, and other critical macroeconomic indicators for the first half of the year. It will also outline adjustments to fiscal strategies in light of emerging economic conditions and revenue shortfalls.
Key areas anticipated to be addressed in the Review include the performance of tax handles, proposed amendments to existing levies, efficiency in public sector spending, and strategies to sustain fiscal consolidation efforts in line with IMF programme targets.
The proposed hike in fees and charges is likely to affect a range of government services and permits, including vehicle registration, passport application, business operating licences, and other statutory payments.
Analysts say the move underscores government’s limited fiscal space and its growing reliance on non-tax revenue measures to meet budgetary targets in the face of constrained access to international capital markets.
The Mid-Year Budget Review is scheduled to be delivered before Parliament later today.
