Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the Deputy Minister of Finance has detailed that John Mahama’s government will scrap the e-levy and betting tax.
According to Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the e-levy and betting tax would be scrapped in line with the NDC’s campaign promises.
Thomas Nyarko Ampem has assured that the cancellation would be seen in the 2025 budget to be read on March 11.
Speaking in an interview on Channel One TV on Monday, March 3, 2025, the Deputy Finance Minister detailed, “The President has made it clear that he will deliver on the promises he made to Ghanaians. That includes removing the e-levy and betting tax”.
“The medium-term revenue strategy estimates that we have a 61% VAT gap, meaning we are collecting only 39% of our potential VAT revenue. By improving tax collection, we can make up for the revenue shortfall from removing these levies”, he added.
Both the e-levy and betting tax faced strong public opposition, with many in particular arguing the e-levy placed an extra burden on low-income earners and hindered digital operations.
The e-levy was introduced in 2022, initially charged 1.5 per cent and was later reduced to 1 per cent, with the betting tax being introduced in 2023 which took 10 per cent betting wins.
The now finance minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson during his vetting stated that in his first budget as Finance Minister, he would abolish the betting tax and the e-levy.
According to Ato Forson, the betting tax and e-levy have failed to achieve their purpose.
Appearing before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday, January 13, Dr Forson stated, “I insist that the betting tax must be abolished, and as Finance Minister, I will abolish it in my first budget because it has failed,”
“My position on the e-levy is well known. I have written articles about it, and my position has not changed,” he stated.
The country’s Financial Administration Act reveals the budget must be presented before March 31, 2025.
In January 2025 parliament approved a Mini Budget to cover the government’s spending from January to March 2025.
Parliament approved GH₵68.1 billion for the John Mahama administration to spend.
The Government on February 10, 2025, began high-level discussions with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Mission Chief for Ghana, Stephane Roudet.
Meanwhile, Cassiel Ato Forson has stated the 2025 budget will reflect the John Mahama’s administration commitment to economic resilience, social progress, and a future of shared prosperity.
Ato Forson revealed his focus as he entered the final phase of budget preparations is to remain steadfast in delivering a budget that fosters growth, development, and opportunities for all.
Ato Forson in an X post wrote, “ The Final Countdown: 10 Days to Budget 2025! Fellow Ghanaians, Today is Saturday, March 1st, 2025, which means we are just 10 days away from the presentation of Budget 2025 on Tuesday, March 11th. As we enter this final phase of preparations, our focus remains steadfast on delivering a budget that fosters growth, development, and opportunities for all.
This budget will reflect our commitment to economic resilience, social progress, and a future of shared prosperity. I invite you to stay engaged as we provide key updates in the days ahead. The countdown has begun!”, he added.
