Anyone can go to court; stop worrying because Ghanaians have accepted the E-levy – Ken Ofori-Atta to NDC MPs
Finance Minister Ken Ofori –Ataa has called the bluff of the legal action the Minority caucus in Parliament has taken over the passage of the 1.5% electronic transaction levy.
Three opposition lawmakers led by the leader of their caucus, Haruna Iddrisu, have commenced legal action at the Apex Court challenging the legality of the decision by parliament.
According to the opposition lawmakers, the decision on the tax policy was taken while the house had not formed the required quorum as stipulated in article 104, clause 1 of the 1992 constitution.
But in a rebuttal, Mr Ofori-Atta who moved the motion for approval of the levy indicated that the claims are not factual.
“Well, we operate a democracy, anyone at all can run to court when they have an issue, and then it is finally resolved. Similarly, the Minority has the power to head to Court if they have an issue. There is nothing dramatic about it.”
“We believe there was a quorum in Parliament. Your walking out does not mean there was no quorum. You could have gone for lunch and come back, who knows? We are pleased with the outcome of the proceedings. I think the nation is settled, there is generally calm. People have come to accept it and are moving on with their lives,” he claimed.
The E-Levy was passed by Ghana’s legislature in the absence of the Minority legislators, who had walked out before the bill was seriously considered.
Also, the Minority claimed they had been blindsided by the unexpected laying of the divisive bill.
Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, Mahama Ayariga of Bawku Central, and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa of North Tongu are the Minority legislators leading the suit.
Per their estimation as at that time Parliament did not have the right numbers to form a quorum for the passage of the E-levy Bill into law. They are thus calling for the passage to be declared void.
The levy is a 1.5 per cent tax on electronic transactions, which includes mobile money payments. The charge will apply to electronic transactions that are more than GH¢100 on a daily basis.
