Following the swearing-in of President John Mahama on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Special Aide to the President’s 2024 campaign, reiterated the government’s commitment to abolishing the controversial electronic transfer levy (E-levy) and the COVID-19 levy.
This pledge is central to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2024 manifesto, aiming to reduce the financial burden on Ghanaians.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Madam Bawah stressed the importance of keeping this promise and addressing the concerns of many citizens who have expressed dissatisfaction with the levies.
“The E-levy has been a significant concern for many citizens,” she remarked, emphasizing the widespread discontent regarding the levy.
She went on to address the specific challenge posed by the high rate of the E-levy, which stands at 1.5%. She compared this to similar taxes in other countries, where rates are much lower, typically capped at 0.5%. According to Madam Bawah, the high rate is proving to be a major financial burden for ordinary Ghanaians.
“For those who have no other options but to transact business using mobile money, this levy is not just inconvenient but stifling,” she added.
Madam Bawah pointed out that, in a country where several banks have collapsed, mobile money has become the primary method of financial transactions. She emphasized the critical need for this service to remain affordable and accessible for everyone.
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“In a country where several banks have collapsed, some intentionally, mobile money services have become the main avenue for financial transactions. It is critical to ensure that this platform remains accessible and affordable for all,” she explained.
Further discussing the COVID-19 levy, Madam Bawah questioned the ongoing need for such taxes, especially considering the pandemic’s reduced impact. She highlighted the fact that crucial projects like Agenda 111 are yet to be completed, even while these levies continue to be collected.
“If we still have these levies in place and yet have not completed crucial projects like Agenda 111, we need to ask ourselves whether these levies serve their intended purpose,” she argued.
Madam Bawah reassured Ghanaians that the government would deliver on its promise to remove both the E-levy and the COVID-19 levy, emphasizing the NDC’s commitment to easing the financial burden on citizens.
“These levies will be scrapped,” she concluded firmly, reinforcing the party’s resolve to fulfill its pledge.
