Joyce Bawah Mogtari, Special Aide to President John Mahama’s 2024 campaign, has reaffirmed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s commitment to abolishing the controversial electronic transfer levy (E-levy) and the COVID-19 levy. This pledge is outlined in the NDC’s 2024 manifesto.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Bawah highlighted the financial burden these levies place on Ghanaians, stating that the E-levy, in particular, has been a significant concern for many citizens. She emphasised the importance of ensuring that mobile money services, which have become a key platform for financial transactions, remain accessible and affordable.

“The E-levy has made mobile money services less affordable, especially for those who have no other means of conducting business,” Bawah said, pointing out that in other countries, similar taxes are capped at 0.5%, far lower than Ghana’s 1.5% rate.

Bawah also criticised the levy’s wider impact, including its disruption of international development efforts. “Many development partners used to distribute resources through mobile money platforms, but the introduction of the E-levy has added unnecessary strain to an already fragile system,” she explained.

Additionally, Bawah questioned the continued collection of COVID-19-related levies, arguing that, despite these funds being raised, key projects, such as the Agenda 111 initiative, have not been completed.

The NDC’s promise to remove the E-levy and COVID-19 levy is central to their 2024 electoral campaign, and Bawah assured Ghanaians that the party is committed to delivering on this pledge. “These levies will be scrapped,” she stated.

Source:TheDotNews