National Spokesperson for pressure group, Economic Fighters League, John Koomson, has revealed that government could have abolished ex-gratia instead of resorting to carry out the passage of the Electronic Transaction Levy (e-levy) in the country.

Contained in a statement, Mr Koomson intimated that following months of what it described as “shameful political charade”, the Parliament has proven to Ghanaians that its members do not stand with the people of Ghana. He emphasized that Ghanaians have been explicit in their rejection of the e-levy since it was first introduced in Parliament’s 2022 budget reading.

The Economic Fighters League asserted that since the introduction of the levy in the budget reading, Ghanaians have watched legislators and some government officials “dance around the issue”, thereby trivialising the state of Ghanaian livelihood as “they made E-levy cakes, and jumped in and out of chambers” while discussing the reduction of a levy that Ghanaians have consistently said no to.

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“There were many viable alternatives. This Parliament could have abolished ex gratia; it could have cut its frivolous expenditure; it could have reduced Article 71 office-holder’s pay; it could have cut tax concessions for foreign companies; it could have insisted on reclaiming Ghanaian ownership of Ghanaian resources. This Parliament could have committed itself to ending corruption. But this Parliament instead chose to burden the already suffering Ghanaian people”.
John Koomson

Mr Koomson indicated that it is pointless stating the current crisis and hardship Ghanaians are already facing, particularly with the “skyrocketing prices of basic commodities”. This, he emphasized, is in large part due to the recent “changes to tax structures” such as VAT and also the astronomical rising price of fuel. He noted that in ignoring the voices of the people, Parliament has confirmed that this “rotten system” which is held in place by the “corrupt” NPP and NDC duopoly must be “crushed” in order to save Ghanaians.

“To pass the E-levy in this climate is simply wickedness; a wickedness that the Ghanaian People will not forget”.
John Koomson

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Following this, Mr Koomson intimated that Ghanaians must govern and this can only happen under a new, people-centred Constitution. A People’s Constitution, he explained, must guarantee a long-term National Development Plan binding on all governments and assures proportional representation in governance. Additionally, he underscored that the constitution must underpin a “people’s Parliament” that is able to hold the Executive accountable and equally put Ghanaians first.

“The Economic Fighters League has for years declared no confidence in the partisan crop of legislators who occupy Parliament under the false fourth republic. The display of deliberate incompetence by the NDC in the passage of E-Levy only serves to further justify Fighters’ call for a competent alternative beyond the partisan NPP-NDC corporations and their 30 year track record of refusal to represent the People in whom Ghana’s sovereignty resides”.
John Koomson

Mr Koomson expressed the League’s intention to “plant competent persons in Parliament”, whose duty will be to protect the people’s interest. The National Spokesperson for the League further entreated Ghanaians to remain united to reclaim power and break the “rotten” duopoly, as their lives and livelihoods depend on it.