Omanghana
The Parliamentary Minority in Ghana has accused the government of secretly reintroducing the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) through what it describes as a “backdoor policy” tied to the country’s newly launched digital platforms.
The latest political dispute centers on a proposed 1% unified transaction charge connected to Ghana’s recently introduced electronic visa (e-Visa) system and other state-operated online services. According to the Minority Caucus, the new charge effectively mirrors the unpopular E-Levy that the government had previously pledged to abolish.
Minority lawmakers argue that while the administration publicly celebrated the removal of the E-Levy as a major relief for citizens and businesses, it is now quietly replacing the tax with a differently labeled digital transaction fee. The opposition claims the move amounts to hypocrisy and a betrayal of public trust.
The caucus further accused the government of attempting to mislead the public by eliminating the official E-Levy on paper while introducing another percentage-based charge on digital payments through state platforms. According to the Minority, the strategy creates the impression that the burden has been lifted while consumers continue paying similar fees indirectly.
Opposition members also warned that the new charge could negatively impact tourism and regional trade, particularly under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area. They contend that adding transaction-related costs to the newly launched e-Visa portal could discourage African travelers and undermine Ghana’s efforts to promote seamless movement across the continent.
The Minority additionally raised concerns about the broader impact on financial inclusion. Lawmakers argued that repeated taxes and fees on digital transactions risk pushing citizens away from mobile money and other electronic payment systems, potentially driving many people back toward cash-based transactions.
However, the Ministry of Finance of Ghana and government communication officials have strongly rejected the allegations, describing the accusations as politically motivated and misleading.
Government representatives insist that the proposed 1% charge is not a tax and should not be interpreted as a return of the E-Levy. Officials explained that the fee is instead a standard processing charge imposed by private third-party platform providers responsible for maintaining the security, infrastructure, and smooth operation of the country’s digital services, including the e-Visa portal.
According to officials, the processing fee is intended to support system maintenance and ensure reliable online service delivery rather than generate direct tax revenue for the state. The government maintains that the charge is fundamentally different from the former E-Levy policy, which was a nationwide tax imposed on electronic financial transfers.
Source: Omanghana
