E-levy: “We complain not because is bad” – Sakordie

Multiple award-winning artiste, Sarkodie born Micheal Owusu Addo has waded into going discussions about the government proposed electronic transaction levy (e-levy).

According to him, Ghanaians complain of the proposed tax which seeks to tax some 1.5% on transactions above ₵100 not because it is bad but because they do not benefit from the taxes they pay in the country.

As a regular traveler, Sarkodie mentioned he pays a lot of taxes whenever he is outside the country but that is without complains because he benefit from avenues provided by those countries, a situation which is different in Ghana.

The celebrated musician made the comment in a twitter post sighted by GhanaPlus.com on Tuesday, February 8.

“I pay a lot of taxes outside and I don’t complain because I’m using avenues they made available to make ( it’s only right ) it’s not same here and that’s why we complain not because the “E Levy” is bad . When you broke, a harmless “good morning “ can sound like a tease,” his tweet reads.

I pay a lot of taxes outside and I don’t complain because I’m using avenues they made available to make 💰( it’s only right ) it’s not same here and that’s why we complain not because the “E Levy” is bad . When you broke, a harmless “good morning “ can sound like a tease https://t.co/7s25NqnbJN

— Sarkodie (@sarkodie) February 8, 2022

Gov’t of Ghana introduce Momo Tax

The government of Ghana  is seeking to tax Ghanaians some 1.5% on electronic transactions, mobile money inclusive.

The policy was part of the government 2021 Budget Statement presented by the Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta on Wednesday, November 17.

The levy, initially pegged at a 1.75announced is expected to be taxed on all transaction exceeding ₵100.

The tax, the minister said 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, including the Minority group in Parliament have vehemently kicked against the tax.

The concerns are, it will bring untold hardship on the citizenry and also erode the gains made in the digital money platform.

Source: GhanaPlus.com