Prof Mills would never have introduced E-levy – Haruna Iddrisu praises former president
Leader of the Minority caucus, Haruna Iddrissu has touted the contribution of late President Professor John Evans Atta Mills to the growth and development of Ghana as one that remained unparalleled.
Referring to the single-digit inflation under the late president’s regime which he says it is non-achievable by the New Patriotic Party government, Mr Iddrisu added that the party manages Ghana’s economy better than the NPP.
He explained that the compassionate Mills would never have introduced an “unfair E-levy tax” on the already burdened Ghanaian populace without broader consultation.
Delivering a speech at the first of its series of lectures in Tamale to herald the 10th anniversary of the demise of the late Prof. Mills, Mr Iddrisu said Ghanaians should blame Nana Akufo-Addo for the introduction of the e-levy and not the Minority.
“Inflation at single-digit consistent for the period that he lived, has never happened since he passed. Ghana has never achieved consistent and high growth in its GDP more than the 14.1 per cent which was achieved in 2011. Prof. Atta Mills’ contribution to the growth and development of our country remains unparalleled. At least on e-levy, Professor as an astute academic on taxation would never have introduced a tax pregnant with double taxation.”
On May 1, 2022, the government commenced the implementation of the controversial levy after its initial announcement in the 2022 budget.
The levy was subsequently reduced from 1.75% to 1.5% after protests from various stakeholders.
But the reduction was considered insufficient by the groups that were calling for the levy to be scrapped.
Meanwhile, the government had hoped to rake in about GH¢7 billion from the collection of the 1.75% levy on mobile money and other electronic transactions, but the figure was revised downwards to about GH¢4 billion recently following the revision of the percentage.
