By: Kekeli K. Blamey
The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has restated his intention to eliminate the controversial E-Levy and the betting tax if he wins the 2024 presidential election. Speaking during the NPP manifesto launch in Takoradi on Sunday, August 18, Dr. Bawumia presented his plan for comprehensive tax reforms designed to alleviate the financial pressures on Ghanaians.
His proposed reforms include a tax amnesty for unpaid taxes from previous years and waivers on interest and penalties for taxes not yet filed. He also discussed his vision to make Ghana a global leader in digital technology, with a focus on policies, incentives, and strategic investments aimed at transforming the country into a top-tier digital economy.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized the swift transformation of Ghana into Africa’s digital hub through targeted policies, incentives, and investments, including the abolition of the E-Levy. Additionally, he proposed broad tax reforms, including a one-time tax amnesty for individuals and businesses, which would clear outstanding tax obligations and offer a fresh start.
He also plans to reform the Value Added Tax (VAT) system by consolidating all levies into a single line item to simplify the tax process and reduce its compounding effect. Furthermore, he committed to reducing the Withholding Tax on small-scale gold exports to 1% to discourage smuggling and promised to eliminate the Betting Tax.
Dr. Bawumia further pledged to create a more business-friendly environment, underscoring his commitment to enhancing and expanding the private sector. He outlined a comprehensive tax reform plan that is designed to foster business growth and accelerate economic development across Ghana.
