Ghanaians Criticize Parliament’s Approval Of E-Levy Tax

There has been growing widespread criticism of the government in Ghana after Parliament approved a new electronic transaction tax, which the government says will help raise $900m in much-needed revenue

The E-levy bill, passed on Tuesday, will introduce a 1.5 percent tax on electronic money transfers and transactions. President Nana Akufo-Addo’s has said the move will help address problems from unemployment to the country’s high public debt.

But for many Ghanaians, the tax represents yet another burden as living costs heightened by soaring fuel prices due to the Ukraine crisis piles even more pressure.

Legislators passed the law after the opposition minority walked out of the debate on Tuesday.

To the Chief crusader of the crusaders against corruption in Ghana, Emmanuel Wilson junior, the action by the majority in Parliament signified the government’s insensitivity to the plight of the people of Ghana.

The convener for Justice for Ghana, Bernard Mornah, prayed the Supreme Court to stand by its earlier decision on parliamentary voting to save the country.

He also urged the president to sack his economic team.

Ghana has been struggling to revive its economy which has been badly affected from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. The west African nation reopened its land and sea borders this week after a two-year closure.