We Will Abolish E-Levy and Betting Tax – Bawumia

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, has reiterated his commitment to abolishing the controversial E-Levy and the betting tax if elected as President in the upcoming 2024 general elections. This announcement was made during the launch of the NPP’s manifesto in Takoradi on Sunday, August 18.

Dr. Bawumia outlined his vision for comprehensive tax reforms aimed at reducing the financial burden on Ghanaians. Among these reforms is a proposed one-time tax amnesty, which would grant Ghanaians and corporate entities relief from past tax obligations, including waivers on interest and penalties for unfiled taxes.

In his speech, Bawumia emphasized his administration’s focus on transforming Ghana into a world-class digital economy, highlighting the need for policies, competitive incentives, and strategic investments to achieve this goal.

“We will accelerate Ghana’s growth into a world-class digital economy and make Ghana the digital hub of Africa. We will do this through policies, competitive incentives, and investments. We will invest in developing local talent and tech start-ups. Abolish E-Levy,” Dr. Bawumia stated.

The NPP flagbearer also proposed reforms to the Value Added Tax (VAT) system by merging all levies into a single line-item levy, thereby simplifying the tax process and eliminating the cascading effects currently experienced. Additionally, Bawumia vowed to reduce the Withholding Tax (WHT) for small-scale gold exports to 1% in a bid to discourage smuggling activities.

These promises form a core part of Dr. Bawumia’s strategy to create a more favorable economic environment in Ghana, aimed at boosting growth and ensuring a fresh start for taxpayers across the country.