What Do You Think About E-Levy? Join Me On Radio Grin and Let's Discuss.

Ghanas' government has introduce a new tax called e-levy waiting to be approved by parliament even though a large section of the budget has been approved.The proposed levy, which when approved would required a charge of 1.75% on all electronic electronic transactions such as MOMO, merchant payments, inward remittances and bank transfers

While the government and the Finance minister justifies what some people termed as obnoxious tax, the government has argued that the rational is to widen the tax net, and have the informal sector pay taxes instead of over burdening the few in the formal sector.

Most Ghanaians have adopted momo as a means of transaction since it is heavily relied on by peasant traders and the poor. Thus the government sees it as a convenient way to get money to embark on numerous projects that are requested by Ghanaians. They argued that, the e-levy would help create jobs for the unemployed youth.

The finance minister said upon meeting the press that, the proceeds of the tax will create 11 million jobs, curtail unemployment, support start-ups,road infrastructure and security . This has sparked huge debate in the country with some suggesting that it is the panacea to our unemployment menace while others are casting doubt not only on its prospects but also its impact on the ordinary Ghanaian. Nonetheless, unemployment remains national security threat to the country that needs to be looked at as a matter of urgency.

Some Ghanaians has fiercely rejected the budget calling on the government to withdraw it with immediate effect. Some belief that, government can seal leakages to corruption, abolish ex-gratia enjoyed by Article 71 Office Holders which serves as a drain on the public purse. Some has ask questions on how oil revenues are disburse coupled with systemic corruption and miss application of funds at the public sector. Some people belief that this, tax is nothing but a justification of how insensitive the government has become.

On intellectuals forum, we seek to discuss this topic in a political but non-partisan style. We expect our panelists to read more about the e-levy with the under-listed items in mind.

• Its genesis(history and countries that have tried or has implemented same)
• Impacts on students
• Impacts on the youth and start-ups
• Suggest other alternatives way Government can use to broaden its tax net
• What should government do now.
  If you're a steemian around UDS-NYC, kindly pm me to join the show on Wednesday 7:00-9:00pm as we probe this topic.