The Electronic Transaction Levy introduced by government in its 2022 Budget statement has received some backlash from Ghanaians.
As far as the opposition National Democratic Congress is concerned, it is going to increase the hardship of Ghanaians. The Minority Members of Parliament have thus vowed to resist it.
Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu is quoted to have said that “we will reject it outright. There’s no way the Minority will stand with government on the introduction of the e-levy. It’s not just opportunistic but an oppressive tax regime and also lazy. It will derail the progress we have made as a country on the digital economy. We are united and collectively, we will subject it to a vote and be counted standing in opposition.”
On the other hand, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has insisted it is the way to go.
Director of Communications of the NPP, Mr Yaw Buaben Asamoah says the E-levy is a better option than going to IMF.
The money raised too, according to him, can be used to stabilize the country's debts so the nation doesn't borrow from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other foreign organizations again.
"If we help ourselves to construct our roads, someone will desire to come to Ghana and establish a business and ply that road. If we strengthen ourselves to build our hospitals, someone will desire to access our hospitals to enhance our health tourism and gain benefits to improve our country . . . If we all unite and accept this e-levy and monitor it well, it will benefit all of us," Buaben Asamoa stated.
Some economists have, however, suggested that government tax the profit made by the Telcos instead of burdening Ghanaians.
This, Mr. Kofi Kapito, C.E.O of the Consumer Protection Agency agrees.
Speaking in an interview on Neat FM's "Me Man Nti" programme, Kofi Kapito says the e-levy "doesn't make sense".
"I've heard the argument that MTN and the other telcos are making too much money…I've heard a figure of 900bn….in that case why can’t they charge MTN on that 900b? why are they asking me to pay for the government’s inefficiency …unless the explanation is not yet complete but for now it doesn’t make sense. Ghanaians are already going through hardship govt should handle their issues with the telcos and leave Ghanaians out of it," he stated.
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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Ei Ghana, you call introduction of taxes especially e tax as senseless? All those calling for the removal of the etax are not given alternatives, Ghana wood.
E-tax is laudable we should all support it and do our best to ensure Government rake in more money for development. Long live Mother Ghana.
***barred word*** never reduces in Ghana. How can you say the tax net is being cast wide? What about those of us who already pay tax? ***barred word*** comment. If I stop using the E transaction can you tax me. In fact I will rather risk other means than pay this none sense tax.
So many people in Ghana do not pay tax. Now that the tax net is being cast wide to enable them be citizens and not spectators, look at the noise coming out from them. After Free SHS and digitisation, this E-levy is the next best policy in Ghana in the last 12 years. Being a citizen is not only about talking but paying taxes as well. Kofi Capito says it is ***barred word*** tax but he is ***barred word*** about nation building. Old man, it involves massive sacrifice including paying tax and you must understand. I will pay e-levy with a smile.
They are talking because Ghana going digitalization is stopping almost everyone that do corrupt practices in milking the Nation and parading themselves as business guru’s, they will pay the e-levy taxes whether they like it or not.
At long last, there is a tax that those greedy, but unpatriotic businessmen and their politician friends cannot dodge by paying bribes to equally corrupt GRA officials and all hell is breaking loose. I think the government should increase the levy to 4% and reduce all payroll income taxes on all formal employees. The formal sector has been paying too much to feed these bottomless belly talkatives.
Crazzzy comment Making generalized comments is dangerous. Talkative on Radio and TV What have you been doing to protect consumers interest over the years You are equally inefficient