Accra, Ghana – Former Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has taken a firm stance against the government’s decision to introduce a new tax shortly after scrapping the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy).
Addressing party supporters during a community outreach event in Kumasi, Dr. Bawumia described the move as “deceptive” and “a betrayal of public trust,” accusing the current administration of repackaging hardship under a new name.
“You don’t scrap one unpopular tax only to replace it with another that burdens the same people,” Bawumia stated. “This is not the kind of leadership Ghanaians deserve.”
Background: E-Levy Scrapped, But New Charges Emerge
The E-Levy, introduced in 2022, faced fierce public backlash and was officially scrapped in May 2025. However, within weeks, the government announced a “Financial Infrastructure Support Levy”, aimed at funding digitization efforts and public service modernization.
Finance Minister Kwaku Mensah defended the new levy, saying it targets high-volume transactions and is “more equitable and growth-friendly” than its predecessor. But critics, including Bawumia, argue it’s simply “old wine in a new bottle.”
Public Reaction: Youth and Traders Speak Out
Many young Ghanaians, already grappling with unemployment and economic uncertainty, see the new tax as tone-deaf.
“We celebrated the end of E-Levy too early,” said Kwesi, a digital entrepreneur in Accra. “It feels like we’re always paying for policies we didn’t ask for.”
Market traders and mobile money agents also report customer confusion and frustration, with some users reducing transaction volumes once again.
The Bigger Picture
As the 2024 general elections approach, tax policy is becoming a central campaign issue. Dr. Bawumia is positioning himself as the candidate of fiscal responsibility and innovation, challenging what he calls the “tax-and-govern” mentality of the current regime.
Political analysts say this moment marks a key flashpoint in Ghana’s political discourse around taxation, governance, and accountability.
MulticdbOnline – Youth Informed. Nation Transformed.
By MulticdbOnline Politics Desk