The Finance Committee of Parliament has approved the controversial E-levy bill for consideration by the House.
A meeting held on Monday, December 20, 2021, by the Committee to consider the bill ended in a number of rounds of voting to decide on the approval of the bill.
Information available to DGN Online indicates that the committee voted first on whether the bill can be submitted under a certificate of urgency, which was approved by majority.
Parliament resumed sitting today to consider the approval or otherwise of the electronic transaction levy (E-levy) Bill.
Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu earlier gave a strongest indication that the House will approve the Bill because it forms an integral part of the 2022 budget presented by Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
According to him, the revenue generated from the levy will boost the country’s infrastructural development.
“On Monday, the major revenue source, the E-levy, is going to be considered by Parliament. I want to believe that Parliament, after the unanimous passage of the Appropriation Bill, will rise to the occasion to pass the major revenue source to feed the work program of the government for 2022. I am hugely aware that every Member of Parliament needs roads, educational facilities in his or her constituency.
“The E-levy will be a major booster for these endeavours. That is why I believe that Members of Parliament will not vote against the E-levy to deny their constituents the benefit of basic infrastructural facilities,” the Majority leader said.
The Minority in Parliament have registered their displeasure since the government made known its decision to introduce the 1.75% E-levy as part of its measures to widen the tax net.
They have explained that their position is to reject the introduction of the levy in its entirety and will not accept a reduction of the rate by government.
The Minority resolved to press on with its opposition to the passage of the electronic transaction levy when it gets to the plenary.
According to the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament, Cassiel Ato Forson, the minority will not open itself up for dialogue anymore but will outrightly reject the bill.
Mr. Ato Forson told journalists that the Minority side insisted that the government meet with the various stakeholders who have complained about the levy including the Telecommunication Chamber, to listen to their concerns, but the majority side hesitated.
“[We believed that] at the minimum, meet with them and listen to them. The NPP Majority in parliament said they do not believe that… You can see clearly a government that is not ready to listen. A government that is determined to push the agenda regardless of its impact on the people of Ghana. The Chairman decided to exercise his right under the casting vote and voting in favour for us to consider the e-levy under a certificate of urgency, without understanding the need for us to listen clearly to the people that have issued press releases and others that have submitted memoranda to parliament.
“We are sad, not only because we lost, but we felt that the NPP does not believe in democracy and if they are determined to do something, they want to push regardless of the cost,” adding that the Minority side will insist on a number of amendments that will make sure that the bill is not passed as expected by the majority side.
“We signaled that we do not believe that Mobile Money services should be taxed. The NPP again did not listen, we voted again, and they won using the same approach… The Chairman decided to exercise his right. Our position is simple, we will not compromise, we will not accept dialogue, we are going in with the simple position that we are going to vote against it. We will introduce a number of amendments to make sure that this tax does not see the light of day.”
By Vincent Kubi