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If We Were Able to Pass ‘Talk Tax’, E-levy Won’t Fail Either – Ursula
The Minister for Communication and Digitalization, Ursula Owusu Ekuful, says the e-levy will not erode the gains made in digital transactions as some have suggested.
She’s of the view that the government will raise adequate revenue from the e-levy for national development.
Speaking at the government’s first town hall meeting in the Eastern Regional capital, Koforidua on the controversial tax, she likened the public reaction to the E-levy to the Communication Services Tax (CST), arguing that despite the many criticisms and opposition to the CST, also known as ‘talk tax’, it was passed, and its results have been impressive.
She noted that although she was among those against the CST, she has now realized how helpful it has been and strongly believes that the E-levy will follow the same trajectory.
“Our collective experience shows that despite their initial opposition to many of these interventions [including the CST], they’ve proven to be worth the wait,” she said.
The Ablekuma West legislator appealed to the opposition National Democratic Congress, NDC, and the minority in parliament, to endorse the tax and cooperate with the government in getting it passed.
“I appeal to them [minority] to cooperate with government and work with us to pass this levy as well because ultimately, the result that we got from the Communication Services Tax, which clearly didn’t destroy the industry, will also be evident post-implementation of this levy as we all work collectively to enhance access to and use of digital platforms working with Ministry of Finance to ensure that digital financial services become the norm as we strive to become a cash-lite society.”
