The Vice President of the second term Nana Addo led government in the Republic of Ghana is trending on social media again. In August 2020, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia said that there should be no taxes on Mobile Money.
According to him, most of the users of mobile money are poor. Therefore, if they impose a tax on the medium, they will suffer more. He said this in an interview with Kwame Sefa Kayi on Peace FM.
He said, “I don’t think Mobile Money should be taxed because most of the people who use the service are poor people. So, if you put more taxes on it, they will suffer.”
Unfortunately, this goes contrary to the view of the Communication Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekufulu. According to the latter, an audit run on the Telecos showed that they make GHS 71 million on monthly basis on transaction charges alone. Therefore, it’s apt they tax such money. As result, she has been a campaigner for that course.
Meanwhile, reading the 2022 Budget yesterday, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta said that there is a 1.75% tax imposed on mobile money transactions. This affects all electronic transactions including bank transfers and others.
According to him, the proceeds of the new levy will go into sustaining entrepreneurship in the country. Also, it will support youth employment, cyber security, digital and road infrastructure and others.
Right after the presentation, Ghanaians started wailing on social media. And as expected, visuals of the Vice Mahamudu Bawumia started flooding the internet space.
About a few weeks ago, Efia Odo picked on him on a similar incident. She reminded Bawumia of the promises he made about the Cedi and fuel prices when he was in opposition.