Ghana Parliament Passes ’Controversial’ E-Levy

Parliament of Ghana has today, 29th March, 2022, passed the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) bill with the speaker of parliament, Alban Bagbin, in the seat.

Before the voice vote, Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority in Parliament walked out of the proceedings.

“In conclusion, we are not able to support the Electronic Transaction or Electronic Transfer Levy of 1.75%. We think that it is regressive, it smacks of double taxation and the people of Ghana should not suffer further taxes, financial institutions and banks should not be made to pay E-Levy”, said Mr. Iddrisu.

He added that, it should be in any record book that the minority, during the ‘8th government, ‘stood together’ and ‘opposed’ the passing of the E-Levy bill.

“Therefore Mr Speaker I am serving you notice, I have listened, my colleagues have listened to me. Mr Speaker, because we do not support the E-Levy, the Minority group led by me after listening to the majority leader will not be associated with any further proceedings on the E-Levy.

Speaker Alban Bagbin who was presiding over proceedings went ahead to put the second reading of the E-Levy to a voice vote which was given in favour of the majority who were the only side in the chamber and shouted for the adoption.

The house following the adoption went ahead unto the consideration stage of the bill also without the presence of the minority.

29th March, 2022 will possibly be a memorable day in the minds of Ghanaians since the passing of the E-Levy bill coincides with the birth date of the president of the country, H. E. Nana Addo Dankwah Akuffo-Addo.