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The controversial 1.75% Electronic Transfer Levy popularly known as E-levy continues to be one of the key decisions the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government is hoping to pass into law in the coming weeks.

According to the NPP, the e-levy will increase Ghana’s tax-to-GDP from 13% to a targeted 16% or more.

But the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) also insists that the 1.75% tax will overburden the already burdened Ghanaians. The minority have argued that the average Ghanaian is faced with massive hardship, as the NPP government has failed to rule the economy well.

Again, a section of the populace and experts have also greeted the yet-to-be approved levy with disapproval.

But at a town hall meeting held in Koforidua on Thursday, January 27, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta and other government officials explained that the e-levy is designed to allow for an improved standard of living.

The government officials at the town hall meeting also shared a document, that gave an idea how much Ghanaians will pay for a MoMo transaction if the e-levy is passed into law in its current state.

The government continued to explain that the implementation of the proposal will provide the government with revenue to undertake development in the country.

In a tweet on Thursday, President Akufo-Addo said through the levy, government will be able to mobilise revenue to improve the country’s road infrastructure while providing job opportunities for the teeming number of unemployed youth in the country.

The e-levy will provide Government with revenue to build more roads, provide more jobs and opportunities for the youth and reduce our dependence on debt. #GhanaNeedsTheELevy #ElevyForDevelopment pic.twitter.com/c2ecGOa412

— Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) January 26, 2022

“The E-levy will provide government with revenue to build more roads, provide more jobs and opportunities for the youth and reduce our dependence on debt,” the tweet read.