Members of Parliament belonging to the NDC Caucus have been vocal about their absolute disdain for the Electronic Transaction Levy.

Since its introduction in Parliament in November 2021, the Minority mounted a strong defence against the inclusion of the 1.75% levy in the 2022 budget claiming it will only worsen the economic burden of the citizenry.

But despite the government’s many attempts to find ways to get the MPs to understand their point of view, the NDC has sworn to oppose it at every turn.

It was therefore a surprise to many Ghanaians to see that on page 99 of the NDC’s 2020 manifesto there was a plan to “introduce a uniform transaction fee policy to guide the electronic payment industry.”

The passage from the NDC's manifesto and the subsequent hashtag of #Page99 was made public by Gabby Otchere Darko.

#Page99 pic.twitter.com/jYqaUwC7XS

— Gabby Otchere-Darko (@GabbyDarko) February 21, 2022

In view of this, some Ghanaians on Twitter feel betrayed noting that if the NDC had won the elections they would have introduced something as similar to the E-levy.

Meanwhile, others noted that a uniform transaction fee policy does not mean the NDC would have introduced E-levy.

#Page99
Uniform transaction fees does not mean E-levy. Electronic transactions fee already exist but many banks charge different fees for the same service so the policy in page 99 was to ensure homogeneity(uniform) charges among the players of the same industry. Politics nti🤣

— LoveVybes (@KwekuGentle1) February 22, 2022

Is in #Page99 so why won't the NDC allow the passage of the E-levy and take credit as the brains behind it just as their known for doing? Or it is a disadvantage to their ambition for political power in 2024?
Just asking!

— Abakan Kwame Ansah🐘💙 (@Ch_andoh) February 22, 2022

Ghanaians just got played into this deception by NPP soldiers with the #Page99 . The substantive issue on the table is E-Levy and hw it would affect the already burdened Ghanaian.

— DON FALCONE 🇬🇭🧔🇳🇬 (@Samuel__Lord) February 22, 2022

NDC party is a scam. #Page99 pic.twitter.com/L4EsTVbu9v

— Made In Ghana🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭 (@leaderof_Africa) February 22, 2022

Arise Ghana youth and do not hasten to lies of the opposition always. #Page99 pic.twitter.com/BVGDE60BjN

— NanaBa_Kwakye🕎™️ (@PrinceBlitz) February 22, 2022

In an earlier post on Facebook, NDC MP for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George dismissed reports that the proposed policy on Page99 was the NDC's attempt at introducing the E-Levy.

According to Mr George, paragraph 8.7(c) on page 99 of the NDC’s 2020 People’s Manifesto is being misinterpreted as a possible introduction of an electronic levy.

“I have seen copious references made to paragraph 8.7(c) on page 99 of the 2020 People’s Manifesto and an attempt to suggest that what we described as ‘a uniform transaction fee policy to guide the electronic payments industry’ was a dream to introduce something similar to the obnoxious e-Levy. Nothing could be further away from the truth,” he stressed.

The MP explained that “as we speak today, there is no uniformity of transaction fees across various EMI platforms. Transacting the same value of money could attract a cost of 0% to as high as 1.5% depending on the platform being used for payment.”

This disparity, according to Mr Nartey George, is what the NDC hoped to resolve.

His response had become necessary with Parliament expected to vote on the E-Levy soon. However, despite his response, the argument has once again risen following Gabby Otchere Darko's post.

See more reactions below:

Are these same people mouthing about they are crying for the nation because this is evil and will not/never allow it. Are they serious at all ?

My Fellow youth out there, never buy into their lies and being in the opposition doesn't guarantee you to oppose anything BEST.#Page99 pic.twitter.com/a9DiyExEqF

— NanaBa_Kwakye🕎™️ (@PrinceBlitz) February 22, 2022

Is what was discovered on #Page99 a ditto ditto information? Was the NDC really trying to stab us in the dark so they will be the ones passing the ridiculous e-levy in 2025? pic.twitter.com/mYxiaGrnuq

— Cris Cross 🇬🇭💎 (@billchris720) February 22, 2022

Let’s pretend Mahama wanted to bring this e levy so we decided to vote him out of power cuz we didn’t like it. So why then are you trying to bring something we voted against? NPP will not succeed this time #Page99

— Meek Mani ⚽️🐺 (@yungmanidc) February 22, 2022

#Page99 how can we trust both parties NPP/NDC 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/6OVbvAaCBg

— Merd (@Merdblessing) February 22, 2022

When you’re hungry and desperate for power,you get expose bitterly.😂
The alternative is still scary😟 #Page99 #NDC pic.twitter.com/ydtJyX09cX

— OV Nation (@scottmoue) February 22, 2022

Sir, my humble opinion; this is not same as e levy 😅

— Maxwell Golo (@King_Zola1) February 21, 2022

We can see that this thing will be implemented, it's just a matter of time. 1.75 is too much though lol

— feeling blessed with 10 others😌 (@jude_poku) February 21, 2022

These politicians trending #page99 is very pathetic. deliberate misinformation of the public, can the standards drop any lower?

— Badu Miezah (@MensahAnaman) February 22, 2022

We all speak "English" but understanding and interpretation is unique #Page99

— BRA KWADWO (@kwadwo_sa) February 22, 2022

Also, thinking the NDC is against it because that money won't go into their pocket is appalling.
The NDC is and was never against an electronic tax. They are against the form in which it is going to be deployed by the NPP.
2/3

— ~Draiii (@JM_Drai) February 22, 2022

A more reason to be against it is events(after heavy borrowing with no show) prior to its passing. But as a youth, my concern isn't about who is bringing an electronic tax. My worry is the form in which it will be passed. If it's a killer one, I will strongly be against it.
3/3

— ~Draiii (@JM_Drai) February 22, 2022

you are all the same people, heartless and corrupt leaders. you are worse than the python.
#Page99

— derry (@derrybll) February 22, 2022

I agree with you that the problem is English because how do you want to say “Transactions Fee” is not a form of a Levy? #Page99

— King David (@DavidNsiah09) February 22, 2022

Ghanaians are suffering yet politicians are playing blame game with e-levy .What a country ! #Page99

— RAS SELORM (@RASSELORM1) February 22, 2022

We never said anywhere in the manifesto about “Electronic tax” it’s “Fee” google and get the difference between a. Tax and a Fee and stop… misquoting the peoples manifesto to suit your propaganda https://t.co/ObLPHvV3L0

— AKWESI🧘🏽‍♂️🇬🇭🇬🇭 (@_AlbertAkwesi) February 22, 2022

I see a lot of people I believe get head pass me dey trend #Page99. So I’ve come to the conclusion that they’re just being dishonest.

— ifok 🇬🇭 (@_ifok) February 22, 2022