Some Ashanti Region mobile money users are dubious of Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s claim that the e-levy will be eliminated if he is elected president of Ghana.
The controversial tax was first imposed by the Akufo-Addo administration in 2022.
After being chosen as the flagbearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Bawumia gave a speech to the public outlining his vision for the nation. He made it clear that he opposed taxes on electronic financial transactions and that, should he be elected president, he would do away with the e-levy.
Users of mobile money have criticized the NPP presidential candidate’s stance as contradictory and questioned whether, as a member of the government that instituted it, he would do away with it if elected.
Speaking with Citi News, they questioned the abrupt change of heart but applauded Dr. Bawumia’s pledge to drop the e-levy.
“Taxes are very good at building a nation; in fact, the taxes that the people pay determine how a country or nation develops before anything else does. The problem, though, is that you are a vice president and you are part of the system. Since you were aware that the taxes were excessive, Ghanaians could not afford the e-levy.
So why did you just watch as these taxes were placed on us? You now want to tell us that you will eliminate these taxes once you have the power because you desire power. I believe he is deceiving us and that his only goal is to win our support.
Then he’ll lie to us afterward. The vice president has been lying to us for quite some time, so I believe he is lying to us again. They don’t act on anything they discuss because it’s not a smart idea. He should not be listened to by Ghanaians.”
“It’s a good idea to reduce it or take it off; it will help us the citizens,” said another user. In my opinion, it will benefit me because the e-levy is currently not in our best interests. It is best to grant him a presidential mandate so that it can be curtailed or eliminated in 2025.
Dr. Paul Owusu Takyi, an economist at KNUST’s Economic Department, has voiced concerns that the e-levy should be put on hold while the nation’s financial inclusion is investigated before it is eliminated.
“People now prefer not to conduct business online when they will be required to pay an electronic levy. To manage its budget deficit, the government will need to find other sources of income as the elimination of the e-levy will result in lower tax revenue. In addition, it will facilitate financial inclusion by integrating a large number of people into the financial industry.
Online transactions and businesses will grow and give young people jobs. It is an excellent idea for the government to get rid of the e-levy shortly. If it is eliminated, the time is ideal, according to Dr. Paul Owusu Takyi.
