Parliament yesterday passed the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) Bill without the support of Minority Members of Parliament (MPs).
Minority led by Haruna served notice they were not going to be part of passage of the Bill and therefore were walking out of the House’s chamber when Speaker Alban Bagbin put the question on the motion to pass the Bill.
The NDC had complained that it had been taken by surprise by the unexpected consideration of the levy as it was not listed in Parliament’s business statement for this week.
All the proposed amendments standing in the name of some Minority MPs were withdrawn because none of them was present to move those amendments in their name.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, said he was surprised by the walkout of the Minority but indicated that it will not affect the course of proceedings.
The levy, which was amended from 1.75 percent to 1.5 percent, will be a tax on electronic transactions, including mobile-money payments.
The charge will apply to electronic transactions that are more than GH¢100 on a daily basis.
The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and other critics of the levy have argued that it will negatively impact the Fintech space, as well as hurt low-income people and those outside the formal banking sector.
The levy has been the source of tension in Parliament since it was introduced in the 2022 budget statement
The tensions culminated in a scuffle between lawmakers in Parliament in December 2021.
The government has, however, argued the levy would widen the tax net and that could raise an extra GH¢6.9 billion in 2022.
There are also concerns that the government may securitise proceeds from the e-levy to raise extra revenue.
