We’ll fix challenges in passing E-Levy-Akufo-Addo

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed worry over the delay in passing the controversial E-Levy bill in Parliament.

Akufo-Addo intimated that as a country, it has become necessary to “look within for our sustainability” and not depend on aid hence the introduction of the E-Levy.

Addressing the chiefs and elders of the Dzodze Traditional Area when they paid a courtesy call on him at the Jubilee House 1 February 2022, President Akufo-Addo said in spite of the setback he is facing in Parliament over the introduction of the Electronic Levy (E-Levy), government will continue to persevere to find the means to address pertinent issues affecting the country.

“It is not going to be possible for us in Ghana to continue forever to be dependent on foreign grants and foreign loans to keep our economy going. We ourselves would have to find the money for our development,” Akufo-Addo said.

“That is the reason why it has become necessary for us to introduce these measures like this famous tax [E-Levy] which has caused so much unnecessary, in my view, disputation.”

“I am determined to persevere to make sure that we find the means to address our issues as a country,” Akufo-Addo added.

Togbui Dey III, Chief of Dzodze Traditional Area, led the delegation for the visit. He made multiple requests including the building of a market in the Dzodze Traditional Area, the expansion of the Dzodze water system, among others.

President Akufo-Addo assured the delegation that their requests will be given all the attention it deserves by the relevant state institutions.

“Silence of presidency on E-Levy worrying”

Kwame Jantuah, a private legal practitioner has expressed disappointment over what he describes as the seeming silence of the Office of the President regarding the E-Levy impasse in Parliament.

The Minority in Parliament on Friday rejected a reduction of the Electronic Transaction Levy to 1.5% from 1.75% after further consultation.

“The president and his vice have been silent on this matter and I don’t understand why. In situations like this, I want to listen to his words. Even if he won’t speak, he should act as referee,” Jantuah told Asaase News.

“It’s embarrassing what’s happening in Parliament and it will happen again. I’m not for the politicisation of E-Levy. The sad thing about it is that the minister of finance is trying to make this a patriotic issue but it’s not a patriotic issue,” he said.

Jantuah further called on the government to come clear on what it intends doing if the E-Levy is not passed to correct the erroneous impression that the economy will collapse without E-Levy.

“Are they saying that if they don’t get E-Levy, they won’t undertake projects and the economy will collapse? In any case, they’re supposed to make sure the economy doesn’t collapse.”

“What’s the plan B for E-Levy? And is it true that if we don’t get E-Levy, the economy will collapse or they’re just trying to frighten us?” Jantuah asked.