Govt to withdraw E-Levy bill next week, but Minority remain vigilante
The controversial Electronic Transfer Levy Bill, 2021 known as E-levy is expected to be withdrawn from parliament following agitations from a section of the populace.
The E-Levy seeks to impose a 1.75% levy on transactions, including Mobile money transfers done between accounts on the same Electronic Money Issuers (EMI), Mobile money transfers from accounts on one EMI to a recipient on another EMI, Transfers from bank accounts to mobile money accounts (either directly, GIP debit, bank cards or another scheme), Transfers from mobile money accounts to bank accounts (either directly, GIP debit, bank cards or another scheme) and Bank transfers originating from a bank account belonging to an individual.
But the introduction of the bill has met stiff opposition from well-meaning Ghanaians including the opposition NDC who argue it will further compound the hardships of the ordinary Ghanaian.
An attempt to pass the bill late last year degenerated into chaos leading to a free-for-all fight in parliament as the Minority raised concerns about moves by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Joe Osei Owusu, presiding as Speaker to vote on the matter.
This culminated in a series of engagements and town hall meetings by the government to explain the rationale behind the bill. So far, those engagements have taken place in Koforidua and Sekondi-Takoradi, where varied reactions greeted the introduction of the bill.
Presenting the business statement for next week on the floor of Parliament today, Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin hinted at plans by the government to withdraw and relay the bill.
“This House in consultation with leadership and other stakeholders continue to engage on some concerns relating to provisions of the Bill. Members are reliably informed about efforts by the Hon. Minister of Finance to undertake sensitisation tour in certain parts of the country to educate the citizenry on the need for the passing of the Bill for the benefit of the economy.”
“The Hon. Minister for Finance has therefore given indication after his nationwide engagement with the citizenry on the bill, of the likelihood of the withdrawal of the Bill and reintroduction of same on Friday, February 11, 2022, barring any unforeseen circumstances. In the event that, he is unlikely to withdraw and reintroduce the Bill on Friday, February 11, 2022, he may do so Tuesday, February 15, 2022,” the Effutu MP told Parliament on Friday, February 4, 2022.
SOURCE: expressnewsghana.com
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