Ghanaians have reacted with excitement following the government’s announcement to abolish the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) and the 10% withholding tax on lottery winnings (Betting Tax) in the 2025 budget.
The decision, which many had eagerly anticipated since former President John Mahama promised it in his manifesto, has been widely celebrated.
The introduction of these taxes under the Akufo-Addo-led administration was met with fierce opposition as citizens raised concerns over the impact on the cost of living.
Despite protests and widespread disapproval, the government implemented the taxes, arguing they were necessary for revenue generation.
However, following years of public outcry, the Mahama-led administration has now abolished them, with many seeing this as relief from what they considered “nuisance taxes.”
Social media platforms have been flooded with celebratory messages and optimism for a positive shift in economic conditions.
However, some remain skeptical about how the government intends to offset the revenue gap.
Read some reactions below:
Betting tax abolished
Emissions tax abolished
E-levy abolished
Ɛyɛ zu🥳🤝🙌#AbanPapaAba— Sherif Mohammed (@King_MoSherif) March 11, 2025
Seriously the Npp is a party of deceitful nation breakers. Cos why are you against the E-levy cancellation, when you candidate promised same, if you win power? You are not normal if you support these people 🫵
— Lady Pearl ❤️🩺 (@Ladyemmy_) March 11, 2025
Wait E-Levy is abolished?
Good at something good from the NDCThat levy was really a slap on Ghanaians face
— DJ switch ✊🏾❤️ (@GiftyNkem) March 11, 2025
The e-levy is a good way of taking tax from African citizens(Ghana) because Africans rarely pays tax compared to other countries. One would say then again most other countries are developed. Still think it could have been tweaked in a much better way(0.5%), e-levy ensured like… https://t.co/q1P1U09Lfq
— APK (@ApkJnr) March 11, 2025
I believe the e-levy and betting taxes should be maintained but channeled and perhaps renamed to free shs levy and get fund to help revive the education of Ghanaians.
Covid and emission levies should be maintained also and channeled into development funds https://t.co/SPQpHAod5w— peteash (@peteashbull) March 11, 2025