Ghana Parliament was briefly turn into Heavyweight boxing arena, after proceeding on 1.75% Electronic Transfer Tax, known as E-Levy went horribly wrong.
As the House negotiating for the 1.75% E-Levy bill, brought to the house by the finance minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.
Members of Parliament were expected to consider the introduction of the 1.75 percent Electric Transfer Tax, E-Levy.
But it quickly turns sour after voting disputes,
Members of Parliament were seen exchanging blows at each other, and the whole house was turns into a chaotic boxing arena on Monday the 20th, December 2021.
A selected committee made up of 12 members of each side were due to vote on the issue.
The 12 members of the minority side voted against it. While the 12 members on the majority side voted for it.
The NDC and it’s minority were against the implementation of the 1.75 percent E-Levy tax which they claimed it will brought more hardships to already struggling Ghanaians.
A claim the ruling government led by President Nana Akufo-Addo and it slim majority disputed.
According to Finance minister, the introduction of the E-Levy is to widen the country’s tax net contribution and rope in the informal sector.
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Ken Ofori -Atta delivering the 2022 budget in Parliament, the Finance minister said “After considerable deliberation, government has decided to place a Levy on all electronic transaction to widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector. This shall be known as the Electronic Transaction Levy or E-Levy.”
He further explained that, “Electronic Transactions covering mobile money payment, bank transfer, merchant payments and inward remittance will be charged at an applicable rate of 1.75%, which shall be borne by the sender except for inward remittance, which will be borne by the recipient.”
This statement did not go down well with the majority of Ghanaians and the Minority in parliament. They however urge that the Finance Minister withdraw the E Levy from the 2022 budget.
But the government demand the E Levy should proceed as it remains one of the methodical to be used to support Entrepreneurship, Youth employment, Cyber security/Digital, and roads Infrastructure.