If not for Covid-19, we would not introduce E-levy – Afenyo Markin
Deputy Majority leader has justified the introduction of the electronic transaction levy noting that if not for the Covid-19 pandemic that engulfed the world and its rippling effect on the economy government would not have introduced the E-levy.
He said most countries the world over had to put in prudent measures to speed up the recovery process of our economy.
During a town hall meeting to sensitize the public on the E-levy on 27th January 2022, the Effutu legislator stated that the economy was doing well under president Akufo-Addo until covid struck.
Further justifying the instance in the Fante dialect, he said the government found it prudent not to scrap policies such as teacher training allowance or nurse trainee allowances but rather introduce a policy that is all-inclusive.
The government, Mr. Afenyo Markin noted introduced its flagship social-intervention programmes like the Free Senior High School Programme, without introducing any levies to ensure their sustenance.
He then appealed that, the e-levy should be seen as a vital policy to help in keeping major intervention programmes being enjoyed under the current administration.
He added that the E-levy will see to it that projects such as road expansion in the country continue uninterrupted while development also takes place unabated.
For Communications and Digitalization Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said Ghana is beyond aid, and as such, important domestic revenue mobilization needs to be embarked upon.
“We are talking about a Ghana Beyond Aid, we need to be able to finance our own development and stop the dependence on either loans or grants or aid from other countries if we are to be truly independent.”
The controversial Electronics Transfer Levy Bill could not be passed after the 2022 budget statement was presented due to the opposition from the Minority group in Parliament.
It is however expected to be back in Ghana’s legislature by next week for final deliberation by members before it is approved or otherwise.
Also, a meeting between the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, with the Minority in Parliament ended in a stalemate on Thursday.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
