Ghanaian actress, Joselyn Dumas, has averred that the newly-passed E-Levy bill will mark the end of Ghana’s digitization agenda.
The actress claimed that several Ghanaians have started withdrawing monies from their momo accounts in a bid to close their accounts following the passage of the E-Levy in Parliament on Tuesday, 29 March 2020.
The actress further speaking on the issue was of the view that the 1.5 percent charge on electronic transactions is “ridiculous”.
“People are emptying their MoMo left & right. I guess we’re back to Cash System in Ghana. E-Levy will be the demise of digitization. The charges are ridiculous!… What?” Joselyn said in a Twitter post.
Ghanaians Support Joselyn Dumas
Joselyn’s tweet amassed the support of several Ghanaians as some confirmed that indeed they have or are about to close their account because of the E-levy. Some who seemed to be in frenzy about the situation noted that they see no point in keeping their account when they will not be using it anymore, else, may they get tempted to make electronic transactions.
Others were of the view that even if the tax rate was reduced to the lowest point, “it still won’t make sense” as they called for a total scrap of the E-levy.
Meanwhile, Joselyn Dumas isn’t the only industry player who is against the passage of the E-levy bill. Some, even before its passage have kicked against it. However, there are a few who hoped that the monies that will be collected, will be used for the right purposes.
Comedian Warris for instance, only prayed government fulfills its promises of using the revenue gained from taxing Mobile Money transactions to develop the country and eradicate the economic challenges.
“God lead our leaders! Let their works with this E-levy reflect in the lives of Ghanaians! Let them help Ghana with the money,” Comedian Warris tweeted after the passage of the bill.
Rapper Sarkodie in an earlier tweet, before the bill was passed, suggested that he does not believe Ghanaians were kicking against the E-Levy because it is “bad”. According to him, many are not in support of the levy because citizens do not get to enjoy the benefits that come with paying taxes unlike their counterparts in the West.
Opposition Against E-levy
The main opposition NDC MPs in parliament staged a walked out on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, ahead of the passage of the bill. The opposition has petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the passage of the bill null and void because, in their opinion, the one-sided majority that passed the bill did not form a quorum.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, intimated that the war by the Minority against the controversial E-levy is not yet over. The North Tongu MP averred that the Minority will continue to fight against the controversial bill to see a fair end to it.
Meanwhile, in the President’s State of the Nations Address delivered in Parliament on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, President Akufo-Addo said “I believe the levy is going to make a significant contribution to revenue mobilization and the management of the national economy,” and went ahead to thank the legislators for passing the bill.
Read also: E-levy: Parliament Could Have Abolished Ex-gratia- Economic Fighters League
