Gov’t officials begin sensitisation on e-levy today

Government officials will from Thursday, January 20, 2022, begin a nationwide public sensitisation on the need for the introduction of the controversial e-levy.

This was announced by the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta at a press conference on Wednesday, January 19, 2022.

According to him, officials, including himself, will personally engage citizens on the many policies and programmes government revenue accrued from the levy will be used for.

“Beginning tomorrow [Thursday], a team comprising myself, colleague Ministers and other key members of government will embark on a public engagement and sensitisation campaign across the country. We intend to communicate clearly on the proposed mechanics of the e-levy, its potential benefits to the people of Ghana within the spirit of burden-sharing that must guide us in our development efforts as we move Ghana Beyond Aid.”

Since the announcement of the Electronic Transaction Levy, individuals and group, including the minority and some CSos, have mounted strong opposition to it and questioned its relevance.

But Mr. Ofori-Atta noted that preliminary public engagements revealed that many people are not against the e-levy but only want accountability on the use of the money.

Further emphasizing  that the government intends to “use the money to create jobs, grow our private sector to employ more of our youth, accelerate the digitalization agenda to bring more convenience to Ghanaians, enhance the security of our digital platforms, aggressively expand our road infrastructure agenda, reduce our dependence on debt and reduce the crowding out of the private sector to improve access to credit.”

He also commended the telecommunication companies for agreeing to reduce their 1% transaction charges on money transfers.