E-Levy: Minority Walks Out During Passing
Despite a walkout organized by the Minority side of the House, Parliament has approved the second reading of the Electronic Transaction Levy, also known as E-levy.
The approval came after Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu decided to skip his submission in favor of Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu’s.
While the Minority staged a walkout that the Majority won, Rt. Hon. Speaker Alban S.K. Bagbin put the question for approval of the second reading.
The bill is now undergoing various changes in preparation for the next step.
Despite initial concerns from the Minority, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, moved the motion on the controversial electronic transfer levy today, Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
The proposal was opposed by the Minority in Parliament since it was not included in the week’s business.
Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader, restated the Minority’s position on the E-levy.
“When the business statement was presented last week, it [E-levy] was not part of the business approved for the house. We have warned time and again and cautioned that we dont want to be taken by surprise on a major economic policy of government. Parliament cannot be that when a side is convenient with its number, then business can go on. It cannot be. We will not accept that culture. So when they [Majority] did not have the numbers, they weren’t ready. Now, that they have the numbers, then you say we should do business.”
Despite the opposition, Ken Ofori-Atta, the Finance Minister, was allowed to introduce the motion in Parliament.
