Daniel Nuer, Acting Director of Revenue Policy at the Ministry of Finance, has confirmed that preparations are well advanced to implement the removal of several taxes and levies introduced by the previous administration.
This follows Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s proposal during the 2025 budget presentation in Parliament on March 11, which outlined plans to eliminate the 10% Betting Tax, COVID Levy, and Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy).
Speaking at a post-budget discussion webinar organized by Lima Partners, Nuer disclosed that the government has already begun engaging Parliament to pass the necessary legislation for these tax removals.
He expressed confidence that, unless unforeseen delays arise, the bills will be approved by the end of March, allowing implementation to commence in April.
“We have already started engaging Parliament on the necessary legislation for removing these taxes and levies. Now, barring any unforeseen circumstances, we expect that these bills will be passed by the end of the month. So, by April, we will start with the implementation,” he stated.
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In another development, Former Member of Parliament for Dome Kwabenya, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has criticized the controversial e-levy, saying it played a big role in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) election loss.
She spoke on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Thursday, March 20, and she opposed the e-levy because it did not help Ghanaians. Instead, it took money from people who were already struggling.
“I didn’t vote for the e-levy, and I have no regrets. It did not benefit Ghanaians. It only made life harder, especially for poor people,” she said.
She explained that the tax mostly affected low-income workers who used mobile money to support their families in rural areas.
Adwoa Safo also pointed out that the government had promised the e-levy would help Ghana avoid seeking financial help from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, the country still had to turn to the IMF despite introducing the tax.
She said Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s promise to remove the e-levy in his 2024 campaign proves that the tax was a bad idea.
“If the e-levy was good, why did we still go to the IMF? It didn’t make sense,” she added.
She concluded that the e-levy failed in its purpose and only made life harder for ordinary Ghanaians.
Read Also >>>>> E-Levy: 55.3% of Ghanaians use Mobile Money for Personal Purposes – IMANI Report
Meanwhile, The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has initiated disciplinary action against former MP and Minister of State, Hon. Sarah Adwoa Safo, for making public comments that the party claims sow discontent within the party.
In a formal notice signed by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the NPP stated that Adwoa Safo’s remarks on Joy News’ Pulse Show violated directives instructing all party members to refrain from discussing matters that could incite unrest, negativity, and internal divisions.
“As she is aware, the directive clearly states that all party members must cease discussing issues that cause unrest, negativism, and discontent in the media or related platforms,” the statement read.
The party emphasized that, as a former Deputy Majority Leader and Minister under the NPP government, Adwoa Safo was expected to uphold the principles of discipline, loyalty, and unity.
“Her failure to do so not only reflects poorly on her but also in contravention of Article 3(5) of the party’s constitution, which among others enjoins us to promote and defend the good name of the party.”
