Just 2 years ago, some Ghanaians were paying as much as GH¢4,200 in E‑Levy charges under Nana Akufo

In an Official Facebook Post on 26 October 2026, Bongo Ideas revisited one of the most controversial policies of the Akufo‑Addo administration: the Electronic Transfer Levy (E‑Levy). He reminded readers that just two years ago, some Ghanaians were paying as much as GH¢4,200 in E‑Levy charges, a burden that drained household incomes and sparked widespread public anger. According to him, the scrapping of the levy has allowed that money to remain in the pockets of ordinary citizens, a relief that many will not forget.

Bongo Ideas argued that these are the kinds of records the NPP wants Ghanaians to forgive and forget, but insisted that the public memory must remain sharp. He listed other taxes that compounded the economic hardship: the Betting Tax, the COVID‑19 levy collected for four years, and the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), which he claimed “finished pensioners kwatakwata.” For him, these policies represent a pattern of insensitivity and poor governance that should not be erased from the nation’s collective memory.

His commentary reflects a broader frustration with Ghana’s tax regime during the Akufo‑Addo era. The E‑Levy, in particular, was widely criticized as regressive, disproportionately affecting ordinary citizens who relied on mobile money transfers for daily transactions. The Betting Tax was seen as targeting the youth, while the COVID‑19 levy, though justified as a pandemic response, lingered long after the crisis had eased. The DDEP, meanwhile, sparked outrage among pensioners and financial institutions, raising questions about fairness and trust in government policy.

Public reaction to such posts is often polarized. Supporters of the NPP may argue that these measures were necessary to stabilize the economy and generate revenue for development projects. Critics, however, echo Bongo Ideas’ view that the taxes were excessive, poorly managed, and imposed without adequate consideration of their impact on ordinary citizens.

Ultimately, his post underscores the importance of political accountability and collective memory. By reminding Ghanaians of the burdens they endured, he sought to ensure that voters do not overlook the consequences of past policies. His message was clear: economic hardship caused by taxation should not be forgotten, and leaders must be held accountable for the decisions that affect the livelihoods of the masses.

Source: Bongo Ideas, Official Facebook Post, 26 October, 2026.