The Bono Regional Chairperson for the New Patriotic Party, Kwame Baffour, has defended government’s initiative to tax electronic transactions as captured in the 2022 budget.
According to him, the e-tax can do a lot of developmental projects for the nation and therefore there is no need supporting government to continuously borrow money that would cost the nation several dollars for debt servicing amidst high interest.
He argued that several nations such as Australia, Tanzania, Cote D’Ivoire and Uganda are benefiting from e-levy and Ghana stands the chance of raising six to seven billion dollars should it be implemented.
Mr. Kwame Baffour Abronye, on Angel FM’s Anopa Bofoↄ breakfast show, suggested that instead of Ghanaians kicking against it, he is calling for accountability and transparency.
He also disclosed that he recently had admission into a law school in Australia and he was compelled to pay e-levy of 200 dollars when he made part payment of 200,000 dollars for his fees.
The electronic tax, termed ‘e-levy’ has been the subject of controversy since the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta made the announcement on the floor of parliament on November 17, 2021.
Some Ghanaians and CSOs such as ASEPA, Economic Fighters League and #Fix the Country Movement have all kicked against the proposed 1.75% e-levy meant to widen the tax net a rope in the informal sector.
Also, the minority caucus has called for the levy to be scrapped entirely despite the finance minister’s amendment from 1.75% to 1%.
Speaking on the floor of parliament on Wednesday, December 7, 2021, minority leader Haruna Iddrisu said that they will reject the e-levy in any shape or form.
Abronye DCE also lambasted John Mahama and the minority for failing to construct the Keta Sea defense wall when they had the opportunity to be in power in 2015.
According to him, John Mahama while addressing the Western Regional House of chiefs promised to build the defense wall in 2015 but failed to do so and are now mounting pressure on government to include the project into the 2022 budget.
