E-Levy Bill not on Parliament’s Agenda this week – Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu

Contrary to public expectations, the controversial E-levy Bill will not be on the agenda for this week as Parliament reconvened January 25, 2022 to commence the first meeting of the second session of the 8th Parliament.

The House was expected to have passed the Electronic Transaction Levy Bill last year before the House went on recess. However, processes leading to the passage turned chaotic and resulted in MPs from both sides engaging in fisticuffs.

As a result, the House was adjourned abruptly without the usual closing remarks from leadership and the Speaker.

Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu later indicated that the break will allow tempers to cool down as the government used the period to consult all relevant stakeholders to pave the way for the smooth passage of the Bill.

However, Speaking to journalists in Accra, the Deputy Minority Whip, Ahmed Ibrahim said no Minority Member of Parliament (MP) has been consulted so far.

According to him, the Finance Ministry has now scheduled this week to engage the various players, including meeting the leadership of the Minority, the National Democratic Congress, NDC as a party and the Telcos.