The Member of Parliament for Builsa South, Dr. Clement Apaak has said the government has no justification for the imposition of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-levy) on the basis that the economy needs that estimated revenue to grow the economy, create jobs, build roads and solve a litany of economic problems.
Dr. Apaak argued that if the President, Nana Akufo Addo could say that the economy is rebounding, then there is no need to force the E-levy, down the throats of Ghanaians stressing that successful economies do not need cruel taxes.
It would be recalled that President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, said Ghana’s economy is gradually bouncing back from the ravages of the coronavirus pandemic. He said with GDP expected to grow at 5.21 percent, Ghana is on the right track.
The President said this when he spoke at the induction ceremony of the new Vice-Chancellor of S.D. Domba University of Business and Integrated Development Studies in Wa.
This was after government came under fire for what many said has been a poor management of the economy compounded by the downgrading by an international rating agency, Fitch.
Speaking on A1 Radio’s Day Breal Upper East, Dr. Apaak said the communication from the Ministry of Finance and communication from the Presidency are contradictory. He explained that should the President’s word on the economy be taken, then it would mean that there is no need for the E-levy.
Dr. Apaak said while the Minority group in Parliament would remain resolute against the E-levy, the failure of passing same is not because of the NDC, but the complete disorganization of the Majority group in Parliament.
“We [the Minority group in Parliament] are not difficult. If the government is insisting on passing the e-levy, it does not need the NDC side. We are both 137 and the independent candidate has agreed to work with them. At every time that they have had the challenge dealing with the issue on the Floor of Parliament, it is not the doing of our side. At any time you see them try to push the envelope, it is because they do not have the numbers. We are always certain about our 137,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Apaak said it is still a wonder why the government is bent on passing the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-levy), when a litany of viable options of raising revenues have been proposed by the biggest opposition party; the National Democratic Congress (NDC), some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other well-meaning finance-oriented individuals and groups.
Dr. Apaak described the proposed tax as wildly unpopular and high against the digitalization drive of the country. He said the government’s desperation is brought to bear considering the circumvention of pre-existing general and tax laws as well as processes and procedures in Parliament.
A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHZ|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Bolgatanga|
