A section of Ghanaians have described the 2022 budget as a tax budget. They are surprise that amidst the ‘hardships’ in the Ghanaian economy, government still impose taxes on Ghanaians. Some went further to describe it as ‘digital taxes, killer 2022 budget’.
2022 Budget
The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, yesterday, 17th November, in parliament read the 2022 budget statement for the 2022 financial year. The statement among other things, removed road tolls and added some new taxes and levies.
Ghanaians resorted to social media to accuse the government of being insensitive to the current plight of the people. The E-tax is one such levy that has attracted the displeasure of many.
The Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, told Parliament read “Electronic transactions covering mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments and inward remittances will be charged at an applicable rate of 1.75%, which shall be borne by the sender except for inward remittances, which will be borne by the recipient.”
The Minister stated further “This new policy comes into effect from 1 February 2022. The government will work with all industry partners to ensure that their systems and payment platforms are configured to implement the policy.”
Some political opponent have accused Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of poor economic management and sharing his comments on twitter in 2015 that read “NDC has resorted to increasing taxes under the economic difficulties they created. an NPP Government will do differently” They are wondering why the introduction of the E-tax. What has changed?
Johnson Asiedu Nkatiah also added his initial comment saying ”…cancelling the road tolls and bringing in E-tax is a regressive move,” Although he was happy with the tax approach to the real estate area, he still thinks that removing the toll and replacing with the e-tax is not good.
Meanwhile, some Ghanaians also think that Government has been smart by not adding taxes on fuel, removing the toll levy and targeting new areas like the real estates. These have been considered as good moves.
Story by: Frederick O. Mensah
