The MP for The Yapei-Kusawgu, John Jinapor, has said the Minority in Parliament remains committed to ensuring the will of Ghanaians over the controversial E-levy Bill comes into fruition.

Addressing the press on Monday after the Finance Committee of Parliament agreed to present the E-Levy bill before the plenary under a certificate of urgency, Mr Jinapor stated that, despite this "defeat", his side is "resilient, committed and determined to fight for the ordinary Ghanaian."

He insisted that "this is just the beginning," and the NDC MPs are poised for the next stage, therefore urging the public to "follow us at plenary."

According to the MP, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, during a meeting with the Minority following requests for further consultation, rejected the alternative to at least reduce the rate of the E-levy to mitigate the effects of the implementation of the levy will have on citizens.

"The Minister indicated to all of you that he was going to engage us further. He told you when he held a press conference. At the meeting, we asked the Minister whether he was ready to reduce this obnoxious tax to cushion Ghanaians.

"That is to say, even if you won't listen to the NDC, at least would you listen to the people of Ghana, the mobile operators and all those in the industry and reduce it? The Minister said he wanted a certain revenue and would not reduce it."

The 12 NDC members on the Finance Committee had voted against the bill, while the 12 NPP members, excluding the Chairman of the Committee, had voted in favour.

The Chairman of the Committee, who, in the exercise of his casting vote, voted in favour of the bill, therefore, breaking the tie.

Meanwhile, his colleague and Ranking Member on the Finance Committee, Ato Cassiel Forson, has assured that the NDC MPs will outrightly reject the levy should the discussion be brought to the plenary since it seeks to tax a medium of exchange.

Mr Forson explained the two traditional forms of taxes are Direct and Indirect taxes. The former, he said, affects income and the latter on expenditure.

"They can defeat us at the Committee, but I strongly believe that when we come to the floor, all the 137 NDC MPs will stand firm with the ordinary Ghanaian in ensuring that E-levy does not see the light of day.

"This is a tax on a medium of exchange, in pension, capital. It is a tax that cannot be allowed to stand. Our position is simple; we will not compromise or accept dialogue," he said.