NDC MPs to go to Supreme Court to resist the passage of the E-levy bill
An incensed Minority Caucus in Ghana’s legislature is said to be preparing for a legal tussle over the passage of the controversial Electronic transaction levy at the Apex Court.
Briefing the press on Tuesday, March 29th 2022, leader of the caucus Haruna Iddrissu complained that the passage was unconstitutional as parliament did not have the required numbers to make any decision on the E-levy.
“The Majority of less than 137 conducting business only proceeded on illegal and unconstitutional business. Parliament did not have the numbers to take any decision that should be binding on Parliament and Ghanaians.”
“I think they have to come again on E-levy because as of today, I don’t think they had the numbers to say that the E-levy has been passed. We will question this decision in [the Supreme] court based on the earlier ruling and based on the fact that they said we can’t decide with 137 [members], but they can take with 137.”
Opposition lawmakers were not part of the consideration process of the e-levy at the second and third reading stages due to a boycott.
Their boycott however did not hinder Parliament from passing the tax.
The controversial levy that was amended from 1.75 per cent to 1.5 per cent on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, will be a tax on electronic transactions, which includes mobile-money payments.
Electronic transactions that are more than GH¢100 daily is where the charges will apply.
Amendments proposals standing in the name of some Minority MPs were withdrawn because none of them was present to move those amendments in their name.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, indicated that he was surprised by the Minority walkout but indicated that it would not affect the course of proceedings.
