The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George has questioned the government’s motive for introducing an electronic transaction levy, effective 1 February 2022.
The proposed 1.75% levy will be charged on mobile money and other electronic transactions that exceed GHC100 per day.
“Electronic transactions covering mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments, and inward remittances will be charged at an applicable rate of 1.75%, which shall be borne by the sender except for inward remittances, which will be borne by the recipient,” the Finance Minister said while presenting the 2022 budget in Parliament on Wednesday, November,17,2021.
The levy is expected to replace road tolls collected at various booths across the country.
But the MP who is a member of the Communication Committee is wondering why a government that has touted its achievement in digitalization and financial inclusion would introduce such a levy.
“The @NAkufoAddo government has clearly lost the plot. How do you introduce a tax on electronic transactions and turn around to claim you are driving digital inclusion? Extremely desperate and clueless governance on display.” he tweeted.
The @NAkufoAddo government has clearly lost the plot. How do you introduce a tax on electronic transactions and turn around to claim you are driving digital inclusion? Extremely desperate and clueless governance on display. 🦁#Budget2022
— Sam ‘Dzata’ George (@samgeorgegh) November 17, 2021
The Vice President, Dr. Bawumia has been the leader in pushing for the government’s agenda of digitizing Ghana’s economy.