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Former Dome-Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has strongly criticized the Electronic Transactions Levy (E-Levy), stating that it contributed significantly to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) defeat in the 2024 elections.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse on Thursday, March 20, she explained that the e-levy placed an unnecessary burden on Ghanaians, particularly those already struggling financially.
“I didn’t vote for the e-levy, and I have no regrets. It did not benefit Ghanaians. It only made life harder, especially for poor people,” she said.
Adwoa Safo emphasized that the tax disproportionately affected low-income earners who relied on mobile money transfers to support their families, especially in rural areas. She also noted that the government had justified the e-levy by claiming it would prevent Ghana from seeking financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), yet the country still had to turn to the IMF despite introducing the tax.
“If the e-levy was good, why did we still go to the IMF? It didn’t make sense,” she questioned.
She further pointed out that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s promise to remove the e-levy during his 2024 campaign confirmed that the policy was a failure.
Adwoa Safo concluded that the tax did not achieve its intended purpose and only made life harder for ordinary Ghanaians, contributing to the NPP’s electoral loss.
