'It is finished'- Finance Minister reacts as Mahama approves abolishing of e-levy and others

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has responded to the abolition of key taxes. This includes the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) and betting tax.

On April 2, he posted on X, saying, "It is finished." This statement indicates the end of the legislative process to repeal these levies.

President John Dramani Mahama signed a set of amended bills into law today. These bills abolish the betting tax, E-Levy, emissions tax, and other levies.

The signing took place in his office. It marks a significant milestone for his administration's goals. The aim is to ease financial burdens on Ghanaians and promote economic growth.

Removing these taxes was a key promise in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto. The goal is to reduce living costs and encourage business expansion.

The E-Levy was introduced in 2022 by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government. It imposed a 1.5% tax on electronic transactions like mobile money transfers and online payments.

This levy faced heavy criticism from the public and businesses. Many argued it hindered digital transactions and added unnecessary strain on citizens.

Parliament passed the bill to repeal this levy on March 26. This paved the way for its removal.

The decision to eliminate these taxes has received widespread approval. Many Ghanaians celebrate this move as a step toward financial relief.

Supporters believe that removing these levies will boost digital transactions and stimulate economic activity. They also expect it will improve disposable income for households and businesses.