By Seli Baisie
Parliament has passed a bill to abolish the controversial Electronic Transactions Levy (E-Levy) on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
The bill now awaits the assent of President John Dramani Mahama.
The decision to scrap the tax has been widely welcomed by many Ghanaians.
The E-Levy was introduced in 2022 by the previous NPP government. It placed a 1.5% tax on electronic transactions, including mobile money transfers, bank transfers, and online payments.
Supporters of the levy believed it would help raise funds for infrastructure projects. However, it faced strong opposition from the public, businesses, and political leaders who worried about its impact on digital transactions and the economy.
Since its introduction, the tax has sparked protests and widespread criticism. Many argued that it unfairly burdened low-income earners and people without access to traditional banking services.
Parliament’s approval of the bill to scrap the levy is a major step forward, but the final decision now rests with President Mahama.
During the 2024 election campaign, President Mahama and the NDC strongly promised to scrap the tax, making it a key part of their message to voters.
