Audio By Carbonatix
The Juaboso MP, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has called on Ghanaians to fast and pray against the Majority in Parliament having all its numbers to approve the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) Bill.
According to him, the only way the Bill will be approved is for the NPP to marshal its 137 MPs, plus the Independent MP for Fomena, to the chamber since the Minority will never lend its support to it.
The E-Levy seeks to impose a 1.75% levy on transactions, including mobile money transfers done between accounts on the same Electronic Money Issuers (EMI), mobile money transfers from accounts on one EMI to a recipient on another EMI, Transfers from bank accounts to mobile money accounts (either directly, GIP debit, bank cards or another scheme), and bank transfers originating from a bank account belonging to an individual.
But the introduction of the Bill has met stiff opposition from well-meaning Ghanaians including the NDC who argue it will further compound the hardships of the ordinary Ghanaian.
The government has assured that a revised bill will be relaid in Parliament after its town hall meeting, which explains to the general populace the rationale behind introducing the levy.
The laying of the revised Bill has suffered some postponements as the governing NPP is unable to marshall all its numbers with Dome-Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo, still overseas after her overtures to be made the Deputy Majority Leader before she shows up in Parliament, hit a snag.
Also, sources close to the NPP MPs have made startling revelations that one of its members is currently battling a life-threatening condition hence unable to perform his parliamentary duties at the moment.
Speaking at an engagement to solicit the views of constituents on whether to approve or reject the Bill, Mr Akandoh urged them to fast and pray so that the NPP doesn’t have its full complement of MPs to pass the Bill.
“You say you don’t want the E-Levy and that when the issue is raised before the house, I should vote against it. You say that even if all the 275 MPs support the levy, I as your MP should vote against it.
"Then you have to pray and fast against the NPP having all their numbers in the chamber. It’s the only way to kick against it. Because even if we (NDC) oppose it, the NPP will approve it with their numbers, if they’re all present,” he said.
Latest Stories
-
Police receive DNA report in murdered Immigration officer’s case, await full autopsy report
44 minutes -
Labadi Beach Hotel pays SSNIT GH¢17.8m dividend, bigger payout expected this year – Afreh Biney
54 minutes -
We will not sell them – SSNIT boss ends speculation over Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm
1 hour -
World Bank approves $300m support package to help Ghana end double-track system by 2027
1 hour -
Messi equals World Cup goals record with hat-trick in Argentina win
2 hours -
Retirement age reform requires national consensus, not a SSNIT decision – Afreh Biney
2 hours -
Extending retirement age could delay opportunities for youth by up to 7 years – SSNIT boss
2 hours -
Jamaica in talks to accept third-country migrants deported from US
2 hours -
G7 leaders call for strong, coordinated response to Ebola outbreak
3 hours -
Ebola Bundibugyo vaccine candidates could enter Phase 1 trials as early as July
3 hours -
Longer life expectancy alone is not enough to raise retirement age – SSNIT boss
5 hours -
Mobile tech to add $290bn to Africa’s economy by 2030, GSMA says
5 hours -
South Africa’s Ramaphosa warns against scapegoating migrants for economic woes
5 hours -
Oil prices fall 5% to 3-month low on hopes Strait of Hormuz will open
6 hours -
Prince George to attend Eton College from September
6 hours