Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah, has revealed that government will address some challenges encountered by mobile money subscribers on the first day of the implementation of the controversial e-levy.
Mr Kumah indicated that the new 1.5% value tax that took effect on Sunday May 1, 2022, has been fraught with a number of challenges including the non-application of some exemptions from the tax. He noted that he is aware of such challenges and assured Ghanaians that the issues will be resolved.
“I’ve heard about some challenges [with the e-levy]. With every digital product that you introduce, there are bound to be challenges. But the important thing is that as a government we have built a robust system with all the stakeholders and all the challenges that are being talked about will be addressed in due course. I have heard about a few people complain about some of the exemptions that were supposed to apply but are not applying. These are things that will be worked on. But generally, it [e-levy] is working.”
John Kumah
The deputy finance minister further urged Ghanaians to be hopeful and positive about the potential of the e-levy to boost the country’s developmental process. He explained that he was excited that the e-levy has finally been rolled out and is offering government an alternative revenue stream for development.
“It is a good day for our country because we have managed to introduce a new tax mandate for our country. Let’s continue to hope for the best for this country and especially, let’s believe that E-levy will come and play a key role in our national development process.”
John Kumah
Commenting on the court injunction application filed by the minority at the Supreme Court on the e-levy, Mr Kumah expressed that government cannot be cited for contempt over the implementation of the e-levy.
“There is no court order, so we have not breached anything. The fact that you have filed a motion in court does not mean you have an order of the court.”
John Kumah
Ningo-Prampram MP lament first day of e-levy implementation
Prior to this, Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, disclosed that the worse is yet to come concerning the implementation of the e-levy.
Sam George revealed that the challenges currently confronting the country are as a result of the government trying to frustrate the injunction case in court. Cautioning Ghanaians to pray for the country in a twitter post made on May 1, 2022, he iterated that the challenges being faced now are only a tip of the iceberg.
“An abysmal illegality of an implementation is what we are witnessing in an attempt to frustrate the injunction case in court. This mess is with on-net transactions oh, wait for the real chaos when the off-net & interoperability start. The worst is yet to come. Pray for Ghana.”
Sam Nartey George
Meanwhile, the North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, opined that the Akufo-Addo administration is underestimating the anger of Ghanaians with respect to the e-levy implementation.
“This is the day the Akufo-Addo government is determined to show Ghanaians and the world just how lawless, undemocratic and tyrannical they are by going ahead to wickedly impose the unconstitutional e-levy.”
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
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