I’ll abolish e-levy, bet tax and emissions tax as President – Bawumia declares

The Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has stated categorically that he will abolish the tax on electronic financial transactions popularly known as e-levy, if elected President of Ghana.

The controversial tax was introduced in 2022, and before its introduction, Vice President Bawumia had declared his opposition to levies on electronic financial transactions.

He believes his bid for a digital and cashless Ghana will be significantly boosted if e-levy is abolished.

In his first major address to the nation, on the theme Bold Solutions For The Future, which spelt out his vision and campaign message,Dr. Bawumia minced no words in declaring his opposition to taxes on electronic financial transactions, declaring that he will abolish e-levy as President.

“To move towards a cashless economy, however, we have to encourage the population to use electronic channels of payment. To accomplish this, there will be no taxes on digital payments under my administration. The e-levy will, therefore, be abolished,” he declared.

Dr. Bawumia also announced that as part of a new tax regime by his government, he will also abolish the emission tax, tax on betting as well as the proposed 15% VAT on electricity tariffs, if it is in existence by January 2025.

He also announced that his government would introduce what he described as a friendly, flat tax regime for Ghana, which will boost individuals and businesses, particularly small and medium-scale enterprises (SME’s).

“My administration will introduce a very simple, citizen and business-friendly flat tax regime. A flat tax of a % of income for individuals and SMEs, which constitute 98% of all businesses in Ghana, with appropriate exemption thresholds set to protect the poor,” Dr Bawumia indicated.