Politics
MoMo tax : Don’t use MoMo if you don’t want to pay – Ahenkorah
Published
2 years agoon
By
Vida Essel-LampteyThe Member of Parliament for Tema West Constituency, Carlos Ahenkorah has advice Ghanaians who do not wish to pay the 1.75% mobile money tax imposed on transaction above ₵100 not to use the service.
Speaking to TV3 on the sideline of Parliament on Wednesday, December 8, he said the Momo tax was not compulsory hence one could opt out by simply keeping their monies on the phones.
Mr Ahenkorah described the politicization that has characterized the announcement of the E-levy as unfortunate adding the levy is only targeted at those who want to use the service.
“So, what is happening is quite understandable. But to the extent that it has been used to gain some political points or it is being done for political expediency, for me, is very unfortunate.
“I will tell you something, I have always been saying that the MoMo tax is not a compulsory tax, you only pay when you use it. If you don’t use it you don’t pay so for me, there is no way any other procedure for making payments is going to equal MoMo,” Mr Ahenkorah said.
“Right now, what we are saying is the tax is targeted at those who have the ability to pay, not those who are receiving. If you are receiving it is okay to go and negotiate with the person who has gone to the bank to borrow money and be a MoMo agent, pay money out, otherwise keep the money on your phone and you don’t pay any money,” he added.
Using MoMo is cheaper – Ahenkorah
Mr Ahenkorah is of the view using MoMo was a cheaper option than using physical cash and urged persons who are against the levy to result to cash and see.
“It is money targeted at those who want to use the service, even if I stand here and tell people that if you like don’t pay or if you like don’t use MoMo, I tell you, using MoMo will be far cheaper. If you think using the MoMo service is difficult or expensive, you try taking your money out there and even see,” Mr Ahenkorah emphasied.
Gov’t of Ghana introduce Momo Tax
The government of Ghana in its 2022 Budget Statement presented by the Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta on Wednesday, November 17 announced an electronic transaction levy of 1.75% applicable on all MoMo transaction exceeding ₵100.
The levy, according to the Finance Minister is to help widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector into the country tax system.
“After considerable deliberations, the government has decided to place a levy on all electronic transactions to widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector. This shall be known as the “Electronic Transaction Levy or E-Levy”, Mr Ofori-Atta told Parliament.
However, since the announcement many Ghanaians, the opposition National Democratic Congress and the Minority in Parliament, most especially, have rejected the levy.
They maintained the levy will bring more hardships on Ghanaians.
Source: GhanaPlus.com
You may like
-
Mahama leads NDC to mourn with Kufuor over wife’s passing
-
Former First Lady of Ghana Theresa Kufuor reported dead
-
Saboba NPP get Ghc 5000 to support the ongoing EC registration exercise – Jawol Binapadam
-
The most powerful tool for change is the right to vote – Mahama
-
PFJ was a mere state resource looting platform – Minority
-
ECOWAS is desecrating Ghana
Mahama leads NDC to mourn with Kufuor over wife’s passing
Former President John Dramani Mahama on Wednesday, October 4 led a delegation from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to visit...
Former First Lady of Ghana Theresa Kufuor reported dead
The former First Lady of Ghana and wife of Ghana’s former President, John Agyekum Kufour, Mrs Theresa Kufuor has been...
The most powerful tool for change is the right to vote – Mahama
The 2024 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, is rallying Ghanaains who have grown disillusioned with...
PFJ was a mere state resource looting platform – Minority
The Minority has descended heavily on the Akufo-Addo-led government for launching a second phase of the flagship Planting for Food...
ECOWAS is desecrating Ghana
The Director of Legal Affairs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Abraham Amaliba has said the Economy Community of...
Prof Gyampo elected President of UTAG, University of Ghana branch
A Senior Lecturer at the Political Science Department of the University of Ghana (Legon), Prof Ransford Gyampo have been elected...