Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a Member of Parliament representing North Tongu, has called on his colleagues to eliminate the E-charge and the COVID-19 levy as a single tax.
Mr. Ablakwa’s request comes after President Akufo-Addo announced the end of COVID-19 as a health emergency in the country and abolished all restrictions relating to COVID in his national address on Sunday, May 28.
Although the government declared that COVID-19 was no longer a health emergency, they did not lift the COVID-19 tax.
President Akufo-Addo admitted that the COVID Health Recovery Levy was unpopular, but he appealed for people’s understanding. He thanked the COVID Trust Fund for its essential work but said that its time had come and gone since its mandate had expired.
Mr. Ablakwa responded on Twitter, stating that President Akufo-Addo must show genuine concern for the predicament of the Ghanaian people. The politician mentioned the E-levy, saying it was unnecessary now that the government had received an IMF bailout.
“Ghanaians also expected the awful E-Levy to be abolished since his government has opted for an IMF bailout. President Akufo-Addo must be sincere and sensitive to the plight of the suffering Ghanaians,” he said.
Many Ghanaians, including Ablakwa, feel that these taxes are no longer necessary in light of the country’s improved economic situation, and many have expressed their support for his appeal.
“I hope all parliamentarians will come together in the national interest and take advantage of the mid-year budget review to expunge those two obsolete taxes.”
“As President Akufo-Addo continues to let Ghanaians down, Parliament cannot afford to fail. May we be the people’s saving grace. Ghana First.”
