Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko has articulated the government’s rationale behind the decision to abolish the Electronic Levy (E-Levy), the betting tax, and several other taxes.
He highlighted that this strategic move aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s campaign commitments and aims to enhance financial inclusion for all Ghanaians.
In a discussion on Channel One TV regarding The Tax Implication of the 2025 Budget, Ampem Nyarko emphasized that the elimination of these taxes serves not only as a policy adjustment but also as a fulfillment of the promises made to the Ghanaian populace by the President.
“We have taken out some taxes in fulfillment of a campaign promise. Mahama promised that he would remove E-Levy, the betting tax, and several others—and he has delivered. We have done this to respect the social contract that President Mahama made with Ghanaians,” he explained.
He further stressed that the decision transcended political considerations, serving as a vital step to address significant economic challenges, especially within the digital and informal sectors.
“We did not just promise the removal of taxes—we were convinced they had to go. E-Levy, for example, was something every Ghanaian knew we opposed from the beginning. We still believe it hinders financial inclusion, and there is a report to support that,” he added.