The General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has reiterated his reservations about government's decision to impose a 1.75% levy on all electronic transactions in the country.

During a street protest dubbed 'Yentua Demo' on Thursday, the NDC's chief scribe stated that the use of an e-levy designed cake in celebrating the birthday of the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, shows that government will waste the proceeds from levy, if it is passed.

According to him, taxation is good and helps in the development of the country. However, the e-levy is not a good tax policy, but rather an act of robbery.

"I have seen the cake, that should tell you what the e-Levy will be used for, it would be squandered. The NDC is not against taxation, the e-Levy is just a broad daylight robbery. We are not against taxation. Taxation is for value addition. But we will not sit and watch the government to keep robbing us.

The e-levy is not taxation, it is daylight robbery. The alternatives are there. Who in his right senses in this country asked the Minister for Roads to argue that we abolish the road tolls and convert the toll booths to toilets and washrooms?" Asiedu Nketia quizzed.

He added that, "we will abolish it within the first 100 days when we assume power. It is not taxation. It is daylight robbery. Taking people’s capital from their pockets".

On Thursday, February 10, scores of protestors poured unto the streets of Accra to express their disgust over the controversial E-levy Bill, currently being championed by government.

According to the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, the E-levy is a revenue measure that will help government to generate more revenue to spur development in the country.

However, following this announcement on November 17, last year, the Minority Caucus in Parliament, have mounted a fervent opposition to the new tax initiative. In their view, the policy will only deepen the levels of hardship in the country, and worsen the plight of already suffering Ghanaians, especially budding entrepreneurs.

Thursday's demonstration was therefore characterised by citizens wielding placards to show their unhappiness with the E-levy Bill. Clad in red and black regalia, the protestors called on government to swiftly intervene.

Some students who joined the demonstration also called on government to resolve the impasse between the University Teachers Association (UTAG) and the National Labour Commission (NLC).

The protest was organised by the National Youth Wing of the NDC, led by the National Youth Organiser, George Opare Addo.

Meanwhile, some government officials are currently in the Northern Region, holding a townhall meeting to sensitize citizens on the e-levy and its impact.

The townhall meeting will be addressed by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta; the Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Saidu; Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Mavis Hawa Koomson and the Member of Parliament for Gushegu, Alhassan Tampuli.