Money sent back home in Africa is under attack – Gabby fires shots at Trump’s US remittance tax

Gabby Otchere-Darko, a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), criticized Donald Trump's administration. He opposed the proposed 5% tax on remittances sent by foreign nationals in the U.S.

Otchere-Darko noted that Trump previously froze USAID. Now, he claims Trump is targeting money sent to families in Africa. In an X post, he stated, “America now to tax Diaspora transfers? First it was USAID and now what you send to your families back in Africa is also under attack.”

He emphasized the need to mobilize Diaspora funds for development projects in Africa. These projects could enhance infrastructure and prosperity for Africans.

The proposed U.S. remittance tax would impose a 5% levy on money sent abroad. This move would mainly impact immigrants, including Ghanaians living in the U.S. However, most remittance transfers by U.S. citizens would be exempt from this tax.

In 2023, remittances from the U.S. reached $93 billion globally. Ghana received over $4.6 billion of that total.

A netizen responded critically to Otchere-Darko's comments on X. They pointed out that he supported the E-levy in Ghana, which taxed electronic funds transfers amid public backlash.

The netizen remarked, “Looks like you are not happy about the tax on funds transfer and remittances from the diaspora into Africa.” They called his stance shocking given his previous support for taxing electronic transfers in Ghana.

They concluded that this reflects double standards from key actors within the NPP regarding national issues.