Cassiel Ato Forson, the country’s designated finance minister, believes that the E-levy hinders the nation’s efforts to transition to a cashless economy.
He asserts that the government of John Dramani Mahama has committed to repeal the E-Levy within 120 days, and that this deadline cannot be met.
Although he is aware that the e-levy generates some revenue for the government of Ghana, Ato Foson views it as detrimental to the country’s efforts to transition to a cashless economy.
Ato Forson, who disclosed this throughout the vetting process, stated, “I’ve written articles against E-levy, I championed the opposition against E-levy and I stand by them. Mr Chairman the E-levy is neither a direct tax, Indirect tax or exercise tax. I don’t know how to classify the E-levy as a tax practitioner,” he told Parliament’s Appointments Committee.
He continued “Mr Chairman it doesn’t mean that I do not recognize that the E-levy brings in certain revenue but the fact remains that the E-levy harms the progress towards the cash lite economy in the Fintech. We need to abolish the E-levy. I’ve said and I am on record to have said that given the opportunity I will abolish the E-levy”.
“I want to restate that position that if approved as part of the first budget, I will be privileged and I will announce that we will abolish e-levy as part of our first budget. Recognizing my earlier stance and the commitment that H.E Mahama said that as part of our 120 days agenda we will abolish the e-levy and I can assure you the e-levy will go within the 120 days calendar”.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com
