A section of the public has expressed varied sentiments over the passage of the Electronic Transactions Levy (E-levy) by parliament on Tuesday.
Some had argued that the economic challenges had negatively impacted them, and with the charges on the E-Levy, it would only increase economic hardship in the country, while others expressed the need to explore other means of raising revenue.
Samuel Oduro, a student, said things were very difficult in the system and that the MoMo was the only means through which his parents sent him money.
“Unemployment in the country has risen to its peak, if these moneys are charged on the transactions, how can our parents manage the little they have with us with all these charges?” He quizzed.
Mr Richard Addai, a vendor, said the E-Levy was not the best way for the government to generate taxes from the ordinary Ghanaian because E-Levy could collapse small businesses and would make life difficult for people living in the rural areas.
Agnes Quashie, a trader, on her part, added that “the toll booth would have been the best alternative for government while ensuring proper monitoring”.
Kwasi Appiah, a mechanic, said he was in full support of the E-Levy passed by parliament,but was hopeful the economic crises would soon be better.
“I am in support of the government but the amount that would be generated must be used for its purpose”.
Mr Emmanuel Ansah also highlighted that the E-Levy was going to undermine small businesses, “MoMo”.
“The mobile money agents would eventually collapse because already people have started withdrawing their moneys from their accounts, others have also looked for other alternatives to send their moneys,” he said.
Mrs Theresa Asante, a trader, said that was the easiest means of sending money to her clients.
“The MoMo is a simple way for me to send my money to my clients, with these charges how would I be able to save my little profits because I would have to use my profits as charges to pay my people,” she lamented.
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, said the E-Levy was a new tax measure introduced by government in the 2022 Budget on basic transactions related to digital payments and electronic transactions which was aimed at widening the tax net and increasing revenue to the country.
Mr Ofori-Attaadded that the government was convinced about the need for the e-levy and how it summarised the idea of burden-sharing for Ghana’s development.
“We intend to communicate clearly on the proposed mechanics of the e-levy, its potential benefits to the people of Ghana within the spirit of burden-sharing that must guide us in our development efforts as we move Ghana beyond Aid”.
He further said the E- Levy would offer the country enough revenue to sustain and keep government’s flagship programmes on course.
BY ANITA ANKRAH
