E-levy: We have made progress with consultations – Abena Osei-Asare

A Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei-Asare has disclosed that ongoing consultations regarding the Electronic Transaction Levy will influence the content of the final tax instrument that will be laid in Parliament before Friday.

The implementation of the 1.75 percent tax on electronic transactions remains contentious.

The stalemate between the Majority and Minority caucuses in Parliament is yet to be settled as MPs prepare to pass budget estimates and the appropriation bill before the house goes on recess on December 21.

The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, last week indicated that despite the stalemate and seeming breakdown of dialogue among stakeholders on the e-levy, government will continue with such engagements.

Speaking to journalists after appearing before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament, Abena Osei-Asare indicated that they’ve made some progress with the discussions and consultations on the e-levy.

“I believe that we will bring the bill in and hopefully, all things being equal, it will be laid in Parliament, and all of us will see everything stated clearly in the electronic transaction levy.”

“You can never finish consultations, so I cannot say consultations are over, but we have made very good progress in the consultation process and I believe that it will reflect in the bill that we will be presented to Parliament.”

The imposition of the e-levy has been one of the contentious issues in the 2022 budget statement.

Many Ghanaians have called on the government to reconsider such a tax. They argue the levy is punitive.

The Minority Caucus in Parliament had indicated its strong resolve to reject the e-levy in its entirety.

It said it will kick against the levy in any shape or form since it will inflict more hardship on Ghanaians.