MoMo operators to withdraw services over ‘regressive’ 1.75% e-levy
The members of the Mobile Money Agents’ Association of Ghana (MMAAG) have served notice that they will embark on an industrial action on Thursday (23 December) over the yet-to-be introduced E-Levy.
“All agents will go on strike hence all outlets will remain closed,” the statement dated 19 December said.
MMAAG described the proposed 1.75% E-Levy as detrimental their business.
“We see this levy as very regressive and critical to the survival of our businesses. Consequently, as part of our demonstration on Thursday 23 December 2021, our services as mobile money agents will not be accessible across the country,” the general secretary of the association Evans Otumfuo said.
MTN, AirtelTigo cut down Momo charges
Meanwhile, two telecommunication companies operating in Ghana have cut their 1% service charge on their “mobile money” transactions to lessen the impact of the soon to be introduced 1.75% electronic service levy (E-Levy) by government in 2022.
The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunication (GTC) in a letter dated 15 December 2021 and entitled, “Electronic Money Issuers Support to Customers on E-Levy”, says its members, the Mobile Money Operators; Airtel Mobile Commerce Ltd (AirtelTigo Money), Mobile Money Limited (MTN MoMo), and Vodafone Ghana Mobile Financial Services Limited (Vodafone Cash, have followed keenly the national discussions on the e-levy policy.
“We have had extensive deliberation with government on the need to lessen the impact on our consumers”.
“We acknowledge the need to expand the tax base. However, to reduce the overall impact of the new levy on consumers, MTN and AirtelTigo have agreed to downward revision of their P2P (person to person transfer) fees by up to 25% depending on respective operator. Vodafone currently has no charges,” the statement read.
