The Deputy Chief Executive of the Ghana Association of Bankers (GAB), John Awuah, has hinted at the potential reintroduction of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy), citing the accelerating shift towards digital financial systems globally.
Mr. Awuah noted that as economies around the world increasingly adopt digital platforms for financial transactions, governments may revisit policies like the E-Levy to boost domestic revenue generation.
“Digitalisation has taken over every economy in the world,” he said. “Based on the direction we are headed, I believe the E-Levy might come back in the future.”
Although Mr. Awuah stopped short of taking a firm stance for or against the levy, he emphasised its potential relevance in an era where traditional tax systems may no longer be adequate to meet revenue needs.
The E-Levy, initially introduced in 2022, imposed a tax on electronic transactions, including mobile money transfers.
It sparked widespread public criticism due to fears it would discourage digital payments and hurt financial inclusion. Amid ongoing resistance and policy review, the government eventually suspended the levy.
Mr. Awuah’s comments suggest that as Ghana’s digital economy expands, conversations around innovative taxation mechanisms like the E-Levy may reemerge on the national agenda
He gave these hints, speaking in an interview with Kwasi Afriyie on Good Afternoon Ghana on Metro TV.
