We’ll demonstrate if e-levy is passed – JoyFM listener
An avid listener of JoyFM has vowed to lead a street protest to challenge Parliament’s decision should the e-levy be passed.
Speaking on the Super Morning Show on Monday, January 31, 2022, Lincoln, who is among scores kicking against the proposed levy, registered his displeasure, insisting that it would further compound the financial burdens on citizens.
“It’s very unfortunate and I’m urging Ghanaians that if they [Parliament] are able to push through the levy, we’re going to demonstrate, 24 hours on the streets and make sure they reverse it,” he said.
He was contributing to discussions after the airing of the JoyNews Documentary “Ghana’s Hung Parliament: A Blessing or Curse?”.
Since its inception on January 7 2021, proceedings in the 8th Parliament have not been as smooth as the ones before it. The raging debate over the e-levy and the fisticuffs that it engendered last year, prompted a JoyNews documentary that ascertains whether Ghana’s Hung Parliament is a blessing or a curse.
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The listener, who opined that the Hung Parliament is a blessing since “without it, the government will always push things through our throats,” proceeded to comment on the proposed Electronic Transactions Levy (e-levy).
He described the introduction of the levy as bizarre because, Ghanaians already pay enough taxes.
“Today, we’re being told that if you have ¢100 cedis, you’re a rich man. It’s unfortunate. I’m a security officer and if I’m to show you the tax I pay to the state from my salary, you’ll cry for me,” he said.
The debate on the proposed e-levy will continue on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, after several failed attempts to pass the levy.
The continuous discussion over the 1.75% e-levy stems from the stern opposition the Majority Group has faced from the Minority in Parliament since government made known its intention to implement the levy last year.
On Friday, January 28, the Minority threw out a proposal indicating that the levy rate would be reduced from 1.75% to 1.5%.
According to government, the telecommunication companies have agreed to reduce their 1% charge on transactions by 0.25%, hence the new rate, which is part of its measures to cushion Ghanaians, who have condemned the passing of the levy.
However, the Minority did not budge, insisting that a reduction is not enough to win their support.
Source: Ghana News
