Former Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has praised Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson for his honesty during discussions on the introduction of the Electronic Transaction levy(E-Levy).
Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen, the former Suame MP revealed that despite opposition from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ato Forson privately acknowledged the levy’s necessity for national revenue generation.
“Let me commend Ato. The E-Levy, which has become an albatross, wouldn’t have been a problem, and all the noise could have been avoided, but we did not package it well,” he said.
According to him, Ato Forson, then the Minority’s spokesperson on finance, told him he was willing to support the levy but urged a reduction in the rate.
“In a meeting between myself, Ato, Haruna Iddrisu, and former Minister of State Charles Adu Boahen, we negotiated and could have settled on 1.25%. But then-Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta insisted on 1.75%, so Ato walked out,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu disclosed.
He lamented that after months of resistance, the levy was eventually set at 1%, a situation he believes could have been avoided.
“We could have settled on 1.25% at the beginning, but after three months of disagreements, we had to maintain 1%. Ato was very honest about the need for the levy, but we [NPP] didn’t handle it well. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been a problem,” he added.
Despite Ato Forson’s initial position, the Finance Minister has announced plans to abolish the E-Levy in the 2025 budget.
With just days to the budget presentation on March 11, expectations are high for the removal of the E-Levy, betting tax, and other fiscal measures introduced under the Akufo-Addo administration.
ALSO READ: