Minority criticises govt for reintroduction of ‘E-levy’
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government of reintroducing the Electronic-transfer levy (e-levy) through the “backdoor”.
He said per a statement released by the Bank of Ghana (BoG), the e-levy should be suspended for further consultations.
That, he said, was against the backdrop of a notice issued by Mobile Money Fintech Ltd stating that, from June 1, 2026, transfers from MoMo wallet to bank accounts would incur a fee of 0.75 per cent per transaction.
“According to them, they are using Mobile Money Fintech Ltd as the vehicle for these hidden charges,” he said.
Hypocrisy and double standard
Addressing a press conference in Parliament last Tuesday to expose what he described as the government’s “hypocrisy and double standard”, Mr Afenyo-Markin requested that the Minister of Finance appear before Parliament today to explain the circumstances leading to the imposition of the 0.75 per cent charges on mobile money transactions.
“These were politicians who criticised charges on mobile money transactions and they said it was a bad way of governing or generating revenue for the state.
“They criticised the NPP administration and they used it as a political tool but their hypocrisy today has become legend,” he said.
Dumsor levy
The Minority Leader said that when the NDC was in opposition, they criticised the e-levy.
However, he said, when they assumed office in 2025, they put in place a mechanism to abolish the e-levy.
With Ghanaians having applauded them, he said the NDC made all the arguments against the imposition of levies and taxes.
However, immediately after repealing the e-Levy law, the NDC imposed the Energy Sector Reform Levy, which “now took away GH₵1 per litre of petrol that was bought at the pump”.
Mr Afenyo-Markin explained that per the BoG statement, the government was purported to have suspended the e-levy for further consultation.
“Were they not the same people who, when in opposition, claimed that there must be constructive consultation before any policy is introduced and implemented?” he quizzed.
We’re against e-levy reintroduction
Unlike the NDC government, he said in the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration, due process was followed.
He said the previous government made the announcement in the budget and then came to Parliament to seek a law for the purposes of the levy.
“The NDC is using the Bank of Ghana and a private sector company to enforce this levy.
“We are not interested in the suspension; we are interested in how come, but for the public outcry, they were going to spring this surprise on the Ghanaian public,” he said.
Government of settings
Based on the government's intentions and actions, he described the NDC as “a scam and a government of settings”.
“They do not believe in what they say, as it says one thing and does another, and it does not keep its promise.
“It is a government of propaganda; they promised one job, three shifts, but as we speak, they have failed on that one job, three shifts,” he said.
