The organizer of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) branch of the student wing of the National Democratic Congress (TEIN-KNUST), Nana Bawuah Richmond, has waded into the raging debate over the Electronic Levy (E-levy) introduced by government in the 2022 budget – saying, it is not solution to Ghana’s economic problems but only a deceptive tool by government.
According to Mr. Nana Bawuah Richmond, the levy is against the Constitution of Ghana and would compound the suffering of the Ghanaian people.
He also believes the solution to the current economic problems in the country is not imposition of new taxes such as e-levy to raise revenue as he asserts that the current government has borrowed than any other.
“Over the past years, Ghana’s president Akuffo Addo has borrowed more than all the past government. Ghanaians are disappointed in the government for such huge borrowing which is causing economic crisis. The level at which the government has been borrowing is over exceeding our limit. This is really increasing the level of taxes in this country and it is really causing hardships in the country. Now the government wants to implement E-levy which is against the law (constitution), it is by law that no citizen is suppose to pay tax two times within a month. The government takes taxes from us and also he wants to take another from our E -Transactions which is really bad”, he said.
He further expressed his concern about why the current government failed to introduce the e-levy during their early days in office if they claim e-levy is the solution to Ghana’s economic crisis.
“This government is now telling Ghanaians if E-levy is approved, they can develop Ghana. So I think this current government wants to deceive us because If Nana Addo/Dr Bawumiah government thinks implementation of the E-levy is a panecea to our economic woes ; why didn’t they introduce it in their early days in government but borrow recklessly”, he quizzed.
The E-levy debate
Previously, the minority in Parliament held the position that the E-levy would take the country backward by affecting small businesses and individuals, especially the poor. This led to some controversies in the House, leading to rejection of the budget on Friday, November 26, 2021 after the majority in Parliament walked out. But on Tuesday, November 30, the decision was revoked by the majority in Parliament after the minority also walked out.
Meanwhile, The Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) Bill was expected to be taken through the various stages Friday evening (January 28) when Parliament reconvened, even though it had earlier been scheduled for next week Tuesday.
However, after sitting from 5pm to 7:10pm, with First Deputy Speaker, Mr Joe Osei Owusu presiding, the House decided that members were exhausted and therefore adjourned to Tuesday, February 1, 2022 without the E-levy showing up for a debate on Friday night as earlier envisaged.
Follow @Thrillernewsgh