Government To Give Maiden Account Of E-levy’s Progress In Mid-Year Budget

Deputy Minister of Finance, Abena Osei Asare, has also said that the Government will also give its first account of proceeds accrued in the Electronic Transaction Levy (e-levy) at the mid-year budget reading in July this year for accountability and transparency. The minister said this when she was asked by the media in Accra about

progress in collection of the tax barely two weeks into its implementation. Addressing some trade associations in Accra at a sensitisation forum on the E-levy organised by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the minister said it is important for citizens to support revenue mobilisation campaigns as government reciprocates by utilising such

funds to ensure national development. She said ministry is working with the GRA to also ensure that Ghanaians understand the various deductions also being made by the government vis-à-vis what the telecom companies are charging. Come first July when we integrate on the common platform, and all these distinctions will also be

made regarding specific deductions in order to have a challenge-free implementation of the levy, she said. She said mobilisation of the E-levy has so far been positively progressive, adding; Twice in a year, July and November, government is ready to give an account in Parliament about the revenue handles generated both in mid-year

and the national budget for Ghanaians to see how much has also been raised from the E-levy and all other tax components. The levy, which is expected to rake in some GH¢6.9billion annually according to the minister, is part of tax components to also realise an overall national tax target of GH¢80.3billion this year. GRA Commissioner for

Support Services Department, Madam Julie Essiam, said the engagement was to educate Ahe associations on erroneous information in the public sphere about the E-levy. She said the GRA will continue to educate the public and all stakeholders about the levy to get their buy-in, in order to expand and widen collection of the tax while

appealing to the groups to also support the initiative. The forum then provided an opportunity for members of the various groups to further receive education on transfers, amounts involved, those excluded by law among other relevant information regarding the E-levy. Representative of the Associations, Abdul Aziz Ali, said the groups have resolved to support government in its mobilisation drive

through E-levy and other tax components. He however said the Associations are expectant of the developments which have been assured through collection of the levy. Some of the trade groups expressed concern about the nature of roads in their various operational areas, and asked that a significant portion of the levy be channeled into road construction and rehabilitation.

Participants

Participating associations in sensitisation programme includes the Ghana National Tailors and Dressmakers Association, the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association, Association of Garment Makers, the Ghana Association of Garages, Ghana Association of Electronic Services and then the Ghana Electrical and Electronic Association.