The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, says government officials will from January 20, 2022, begin a nationwide public sensitisation on the need for the introduction of the controversial E-Levy.
According to him, citizens will be engaged by government Officials on the many policies and programmes the government intends to use revenue accrued from the levy. Speaking at a News Conference in Accra, Mr. Ofori Atta said it is a sure way to propel the government’s developmental agenda.
”A team composed of myself, colleague Ministers and other key members of Government would embark on a public engagement exercise programme across the country. In a plan by the Minister of information we intend to communicate clearly on the proposed mechanics of the E-Levy it’s potential benefit to the people of Ghana within the spirit of burden sharing and that must guide us in our development efforts as we move Ghana beyond aid.”
”As I have indicated already we intend to use the money to create jobs and grows our private sector to employ more of our youth accelerate the digitalisation agenda to bring more convince to Ghanaians, enhance the security of our digital platforms, aggressively expand our road infrastructure agenda, reduce our dependent on depth and reduce the crowding hours of the private sector. A strong recovery needs a clear plan for the future, initiatives such as the E-Levy showcases that determination to build a stronger future our country deserves.”
E-Levy resubmission
Meanwhile, the government is set to re-submit and lay the e-levy before Parliament. This follows extensive consultations on the policy. Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta said the government expects the legislators to approve the document when it is put before Parliament later this month.
”After consultations, the E-Levy will be resubmitted to Parliament this month from the 25th of this month, we look forward to joining hands with our Honorable members of Parliament to approve the E-Levy on a consensus basis to that we can collectively address the big issue of unemployment, depth sustainability and infrastructure build-up especially roads. There is no question that we must have democracy as we have it but, even as we do we also have to manage how it is expressed, how we work together as a people with a common goal and to go forward.”
The Minister was happy that Telecommunications Companies have agreed to reduce their charges on mobile money transactions by 0.25 %.
”Telcos have agreed to reduce their charges by 0.25 % which in effect the impact on the 1.75% is reduced, and I think we should be clear on that, because we do retain the resources we need, but ensure that the citizenry is not impacted,” Mr. Ofori-Atta noted.
