Editor of the Ghanaian Publisher Newspaper, Yaw Obeng Manu, has described the e-levy proposed by the government as a “virgin land” that has the potential of developing the country.
He argued that for the country to develop, there is the need for government to introduce taxes besides borrowing from international lenders.
When he appeared on the special ‘Editors’ Take’ edition of the Happy Morning Show, he said: “We have a virgin land which is the e-levy. We need development as a country and for the country to develop we need taxes apart from borrowing.”
Yaw was, however, quick to suggest that the 1.75% be reduced to 1% or 1.5%.
Meanwhile, the editor has said that Ghanaians must pay no heed to naysayers as it has become a norm for them to reject any policy that will bring development to the country.
Among the many things included in the 2022 budget statement, the Finance Minister made known that the government is introducing a 1.75% e-levy on all electronic transactions including Mobile Money, bank transactions and remittances.
The Minister said this was a strategy to widen the tax net and reduce the burden on the few Ghanaians paying their taxes.
On Friday, 26th November 2021, however, Parliament voted against the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the government. This was after the House concluded a debate on the Budget and the Majority side walked out of the Chamber. Through the voice vote, the House rejected the Budget when the Speaker asked the question, a few minutes to 8pm on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Majority Caucus has asked Ghanaians to disregard reports concerning the rejection of the 2022 budget by Parliament.
According to the Majority, the action is illegal and must be treated with the contempt it deserves.
“For the record, the acts of the Minority and the decision of the Speaker to endorse it, constitute an unconstitutionality and an illegality and should be disregarded, as same is void and of no effect whatsoever,” part of the statement by the majority read.