Carlos Ahenkorah, the Chairman of Parliament’s Trade and Industry Committee, has urged Ghanaians who do not wish to pay the 1.75 percent e-levy to avoid using electronic transaction services.
Mr. Ahenkorah maintains that the fee is voluntary, and that those who do not choose to pay are free to avoid platforms that require payment of the levy.
One of the major concerns in the 2022 budget announcement has been the imposition of the e-levy.
Many Ghanaians have urged the government to rethink its decision. They argue that the levy is retaliatory.
The Minority Caucus in Parliament, for example, has stated unequivocally that it will oppose the e-levy in its entirety.
It stated that it will fight the levy in any form since it will cause greater hardship for Ghanaians.
Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, claimed the levy will disrupt Ghana’s efforts to create a digital economy, while delivering a submission on the floor of parliament on Tuesday [December 6, 2021] in response to Finance Minister Ken Ofori-recent Atta’s announcement of concessions on the 2022 budget.
“It’s true that we got together. We were a part of the interaction, but unhappily and unfortunately, we were unable to reach agreement and consensus on the issue of e-levy at that time.”
“We believe the e-levy is punitive, and that taxing transactions would stymie our efforts to create a digital economy.”
In a Citi News interview, the Tema West MP, however, justified the levy’s establishment.
He claims that paying the tax is optional, and that anyone who does not wish to pay should avoid using the MoMo service.
“I’ve always maintained that the momo tax isn’t a mandatory tax.” You just pay when you use it; you do not pay if you do not use it. If you believe it is too costly, there is no alternative method of payment that compares to MoMo. So what we’re arguing is that the tax is aimed at those who can afford to pay rather than those who are receiving benefits.”
“So, if you’re receiving, it’s fine to negotiate with the individual who went to the bank to borrow money in order to become a MoMo agent and pay money out.” Otherwise, keep the cash on hand.
