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The Supreme Court has scheduled Wednesday, May 4, to hear the case brought before it by three members of the Minority caucus in Parliament who are seeking to halt the implementation of the 1.5% charge on all electronic transactions.
The MPs, who are led by the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrissu, filed the suit on Tuesday, April 19, after the bill was passed on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, by a one-sided majority following a walk-out by the minority caucus.
The two other MPs, in the persons of Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the MP for North Tongu and Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, believe that the passage was unconstitutional since the majority side lacked the right number for quorum.
Beyond that, the lawmakers have argued that in the face of harsh econic conditions, an additional levy on electronic transactions would be too much a burden for Ghanaians.
This stance has been supported by majority of the citizens including the Trades Union Congress (TUC), who feel the average Ghanaian’s plight would be worsened.
Meanwhile, widespread criticisms and the MPs attempt to place an injunction on the implementation of the e-levy failed as the implementation took effect on Sunday, May 1.
Since its implementation, the e-levy has attracted further criticisms from the public who complained about inefficiencies in the system.
Prior to May 1, mobile money transfers below GHc100 were exempted from the 1.5% charges but several people have contended that their transfers which were indeed below the stated GHc100 attracted charges.
However, the public has been assured that any wrongful deductions would be refunded to them since the system has a mechanism for reversals.
