A serious fight broke out on the floor of the Ghanaian parliament yesterday as lawmakers debated a proposed tax on electronic transactions that has divided the house for weeks.
Africa Daily News, New York gathered that the 1.75% e-levy, which would is expected to be included taxes on mobile money payments, has been fiercely challenged by the opposition since it was first proposed last month and held up the passing of the national budget.
Members of parliament rushed to the front of the chamber after Deputy Speaker Joseph Osei-Owusu suggested the tax be debated and voted upon under a hastened “urgency” procedure. Some threw punches and grappled while others restrained their colleagues.
A vote on whether to proceed with the urgency procedure was postponed to Jan. 18.
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Speaking on Tuesday, the minority leader. Haruna Iddrisu who was visibly angry said that ‘We need to demonstrate to the country that our democracy is growing, and will not suffer some of these unacceptable sins and spectacles we’ve witnessed on the floor’.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta on his part, argued that the levy would widen the tax net and raise an additional 6.9 billion Ghanaian cedi ($1.15 billion) in 2022.
But his proposal was met with boos and jeers in parliament when it was first announced.
Those opposed to the levy say it would disproportionately affect lower-income people and those outside the formal banking system who rely heavily rely on mobile money transfers, reducing overall economic activity.
Ofori-Atta has promised to hold further discussions with stakeholders about the levy.
Meanwhile, Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo on Tuesday last week warned EU lawmakers that the bloc’s drive to deliver Covid-19 booster jabs could hamper vaccination in Africa, as he slammed travel bans over the Omicron variant.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
