Parliament continues to debate over the infamous and contentious issue in the house concerning the controversial E-levy tax that government is seeking to impose on the Ghanaian people. It appears that government has exhausted all justifications to the introduction of the bill, and has failed to convince the Minority Caucus in Parliament to accept the introduction of the bill.
In the final press conference by Finance Minister, Honourable Ken Ofori-Atta, he indicated that he has consulted the Haruna-led Caucus in the Chamber and that government is optimistic of the results. He also indicated that Ghanaians have found the right words to describe the E-levy and therefore is ready to accept. As we communicate now, Parliament has resumed and is expected to debate over the rejection or passage of the bill.
Earlier today, January 25, 2022, it was a heated discussion in the studios of TV3 as Johnny Hughes interviewed the Member of Parliament for Tamale South constituency who doubles as the leader of the Minority Caucus in Parliament, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu. The lawmaker made several disclosures on the bill during the interview and gave a picture of how strange the Electronic transactions levy is.
According to Honourable Haruna Iddrisu, he has realized that the E-levy is more dangerous and complex than he identified earlier. He indicated that he engaged in several consultations with leading research experts and his colleagues on the bill, and the results he got was surprising. He believes that such outcome gives enough justification for the bill to be rejected by the House.
Honourable Haruna Iddrisu remarked that every listening government would drop the bill considering the fact that Ghanaians have expressed serious disappointment and dissatisfaction in the bill. He revealed that the Finance Minister engaged in palpable falsehood to announce that he had consulted Ghanaians and they have finally agreed to the bill.
Speaking further, the verbose lawmaker admonished that the E-levy tax should be subjected to a nationwide referendum to assess the views of Ghanaians. He believes that the bill will never be accepted by the people in its current form because it is designed to exploit and impose hardships on the already suffering general public.
He said, “I have realised that the E-levy is more complicated, dangerous and complex than I saw earlier. Thanks to other people who came out good writings and analysis to support me. I have never been consulted by anyone since negotiations broke down. My team has not been consulted either.”
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