Mahama Spoke Too Early On NDC’s Plan To Abolish E-levy – Jantuah

Former President John Dramani Mahama has been told that he rushed in making a promise to repeal the e-levy if the National Democratic Congress (NDC) wins the next elections.

Mr Mahama had indicated that a government of the NDC would abolish the e-levy following the commencement of the policy on Sunday May 1.

“We in the NDC do not oppose taxation as a principle. We will not be pretentious and couch fanciful slogans to condemn the principle of taxation like the NPP did in the past. We are, however, implacably opposed to distortionary and burdensome taxes like the e-levy that only force Ghanaians to endure more suffering.

“A new National Democratic Congress Government, God willing and with the votes of the sovereign people of Ghana – in 2025 – will repeal the E-Levy Act,” he said while delivering an address titled “Ghana at Crossroad” on Monday May 2.

The controversial levy started amidst public outcry.

The NDC heavily opposed the introduction of the levy. In their view, it is punitive and amounts to double taxation. The bill was passed by Parliament on Tuesday March 29 after the Minority staged a walkout.

But a private legal practitioner, Mr Kwame Jantuah says Mr Mahama who was the presidential candidate for the NDC in the 2020 elections spoke as though the NDC will win the elections both the Presidential and Majority in Parliament.

“I don’t know whether he knows what 2024 elections is going to turn out to be. It is not an executive decision to repeal the e-levy, it is parliament. If you don’t have majority in Parliament how do you repeal it?

“In terms of his comments that they will repeal it, it depends on Parliament. He spoke a little too soon,” Mr Jantuah said on the New Day on TV3 Friday May 6.