By Edzorna Francis Mensah
The Minister of Finance is expected to withdraw and to reintroduce to Parliament, the Electronic Transfer Bill 2021.
There is likely to be some amendments to the original Bill. The Bill was presented to the House on Thursday, 16th December 2021 by Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta and debated but the House could not pass it, due to opposition from the Minority.
Both the Majority and Minority had entrenched positions for and against the controversial E-Levy engaged in physical and verbal attacks in the Chamber, when the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei Owusu who was presiding, attempted to vote as an MP for Bekwei.
Presenting the business statement for the third week ending Friday 4th of February 2022, the Deputy Majority Leader and MP for Efutu, Alexander Afenyo Markin noted that “this House in consultation with Leadership and other stakeholders continue to engage on some concerns relating to provisions of the Bill”.
”Members are reliably informed about efforts by the Hon. Minister for Finance to undertake a sensitization tour in certain parts of the country to educate the citizenry on the need for the passing of the Bill for the benefit of the economy”.
According to him, “the Minister of Finance has given indication after his nationwide engagement with the citizenry on the Bill, of the likelihood of the withdrawal of the Bill and reintroduction of the same on Friday, 11th February, 2022 barring any unforeseen circumstances. In the event that he is unlikely to withdraw and reintroduce the Bill on Friday, 11th February, 2022 he may do so on Tuesday, 15th February, 2022”.
He said, after the withdrawal and reintroduction of the Bill, the Business Committee would, programme the Bill for consideration during the course of the Fourth Week of this Meeting.
He therefore encouraged his fellow MPs “to participate fully in the consideration of the Bill for the passing of a good piece of legislation for the benefit of all”.
