Government Scraps E-Levy and Betting Tax in 2025 Budget: Key Highlights Revealed

In his 2025 Budget presentation to Parliament, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has assured Ghanaians that the government is staying true to its promises, highlighting several key initiatives that align with the administration’s ongoing efforts to improve the country’s economic and social landscape.

A major highlight of Dr. Forson’s speech was the scrapping of the controversial Electronic Levy (E-Levy) and the Betting Tax on winnings, which had sparked widespread debate since their introduction.

According to the Finance Minister, the removal of these taxes is part of the government’s commitment to easing the financial burden on citizens and businesses alike.

“Mr. Speaker, we are making progress,” Dr. Forson said, confidently underscoring the government’s achievements.

He pointed out that the administration has kept its promises, including reducing the size of the Cabinet to 60 ministers and addressing several social issues.

One of the most significant steps, he noted, was the decision to eliminate academic fees for first-year students in public tertiary institutions.

Additionally, persons with disabilities are now entitled to free tertiary education, ensuring that education remains accessible to all.

The Minister also highlighted that funding has been secured for the continued implementation of the Free Secondary Education policy.

Further emphasizing the administration’s focus on education, Dr. Forson announced the distribution of free sanitary pads to schoolgirls to support their education without interruption.

The government’s commitment to healthcare was also reaffirmed, with Dr. Forson revealing the ongoing implementation of free primary healthcare services for citizens.

In terms of infrastructure development, he pointed to the $10 billion Big Push Programme aimed at accelerating national development.

However, the Minister did not shy away from acknowledging the struggles of the cocoa sector, which has been facing significant challenges.

The sector’s outstanding debt has reached 32 billion cedis, and cocoa production has declined by nearly 50% over the past three years.

Despite these difficulties, Dr. Forson expressed confidence that the policies outlined in the 2025 Budget would reset the economy and guide Ghana towards a more prosperous future, stating, “He will fix the economy, restore hope, and build the Ghana we want.”