The National Chairman of the Convention People’s Party (CPP), Nana Akosua Frimpomaa, has suggested an equal share of already implemented one per cent (1%) charge by telecommunication companies on mobile money transactions.
In a statement issued by the leader of the party on January 24, 2022, she said, “If government now sees the need to tax its citizenry through MOMO, it is just prudent and a mark of responsibility to split 50/50 the already exorbitant 1% charged by the Telcos”.
According to her, dividing the 1% charge in halves between the telecommunication industry and the Government “is the only way the already poor citizens would not feel overburdened by charging an extra 1.7% on momo transaction as indicated in 2022 budget”.
The suggestion came in wake of the chaos which has characterized debate in Parliament over the 1.75% levy the Nana Akufo-Addo led administration intended to implement in a bid to generate revenue to support development in the country, a situation many including Nana Frimpomaa have described as dividing the country along partisan lines.
There is more in the statement below:
The Introduction of E-Levy in the 2022 budget has sadly divided the country along partisan lines. The continues bruhaha in parliament of Ghana has given the country negative local and international publicity and called to question the real motive of our parliamentarians.
As the Chair and Leader of the Convention People’s Party, I have a clearly worded solution to the E-Levy brouhaha ahead of parliamentary sitting and debate on Tuesday January 25th.
‘If government now sees the need to tax its citizenry through MOMO, it is just prudent and a mark of responsibility to split 50/50 the already exorbitant 1% charged by the Telcos’.
This is the only way the already poor citizens would not feel overburdened by charging and extra 1.7% on momo transactions as indicated in 2022 budget.
Government of Ghana through its regulatory mother body, the National Communication Authority (NCA) has over the years failed to stop the seemingly exploitative and manipulative systems adopted by foreign Telcos to rip off citizenry through their electronic cash flow charges of 1%.
I wish to state that, Government at this point in time must maximize its stake in the telecom sector and own its electronic platform to drive revenue and not depend on foreign platforms.
‘We have the solution to our challenges, what we need is broader consultation and ultimate responsibility’.
Nana Akosua Frimpomaa
Chair and Leader of the Convention People’s Party
Corporate Office
East Legon
Accra
