Parliament has approved the removal of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) as part of the 2025 budget statement. This move follows the passage of the Electronic Transaction Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025, on Wednesday, March 26. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson had previously announced the government’s plan to abolish the E-Levy, along with the 10% tax on lottery winnings, also known as the betting tax. The minister presented the government’s first budget statement to Parliament on Tuesday, March 11. Additionally, the government will cancel other levies, including the Emissions tax. Dr. Forson also announced plans to review the Value Added...
Mahama Unveils 71 Nominees for District Chief Executive Roles
President John Dramani Mahama has nominated new District Chief Executives, as stated in a letter dated March 26, 2025, signed by Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama. These nominations are made in accordance with Article 243 (1) of the 1992 Constitution and Section 20 (1) of the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936). The nominated individuals will assume office pending approval by their respective Assemblies. Notably, this announcement comes after President Mahama’s earlier decision to revoke the appointments of all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) on his first day in office, as reported on January 8, 2025...
Bawumia donates GH¢200K, 1000 bags of Cement to Adum fire victims
Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has extended support to traders affected by the recent devastating fire at Adum, Kumasi, donating GH¢200,000 and 1,000 bags of cement to aid in rebuilding their businesses. The fire, which broke out on Friday, March 24, ravaged several shops and stalls in the bustling business district, destroying goods worth millions of Ghana cedis. During his visit to the scene on Tuesday, March 25, Dr. Bawumia expressed his sympathies to the affected traders and called on Ghanaians and private businesses to assist in their recovery. “I am donating GH¢200,000 and 1,000 bags to the victims,...
Forestry Commission officer battles for life after attack by illegal miners in Offin
A member of the Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Team is fighting for his life after being attacked by armed illegal miners in the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region. Reports indicate that the officer sustained a deep machete wound to his knee during an ambush by the miners, who were reportedly armed with assault rifles and machetes. The attack occurred when the Rapid Response Team entered the reserve to halt fresh illegal mining activities. Before moving in, the team had captured footage of armed individuals manning a barrier at the entrance of the forest. However, as they ventured...
Fighting galamsey without involving chiefs a fruitless exercise – E/R House of Chiefs
The Eastern Regional House of Chiefs has said the fight against galamsey will never be successful if the government refuses to recognize and involve chiefs in the processes of granting mining licenses and regulatory enforcement. The House of Chiefs accused governments of sidelining chiefs in the managing mineral deposits and the fight against galamsey. Illegal mining continues to wreak havoc across parts of the Eastern Region, polluting major water bodies and degrading the environment. The Eastern Regional Security Council, led by Regional Minister Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, has launched a task force to clamp down on illegal miners. As part...
E-Levy removal to take effect by end of March – Deputy Finance Minister
Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem Nyarko has confirmed that the Electronic Levy (E-Levy) will be removed by the end of March 2025, pending approval of the 2025 budget and appropriation. Speaking on Channel One TV’s OXFAM Tax Dialogue, Nyarko stated that the removal will take effect once Parliament finalizes the budget process. He emphasized that this move is in line with President John Mahama’s campaign promises and aims to promote financial inclusion . “It will take effect the moment the budget and the appropriation is approved, and that will be by the 31st of this month. “So all things being...
Removal of E-levy, Betting Tax poses risk to govt’s ability to achieve its revenue target – Deloitte
Professional services firm, Deloitte has said that the theme running through this year’s budget statement is the need to strike a delicate balance between macroeconomic stability and economic growth. It indicated that a key component of the government’s approach to achieving the desired macroeconomic stability is revenue mobilisation. This notwithstanding, Deloitte said, the move by government to deliver on its promise to scrap certain nuisance taxes (e-levy, betting tax, emission levy ) presents notable risk to its ability to achieve the set revenue target due to the revenue losses that will result from scrapping these tax handles. “Whilst the revenue-enhancing...
13-member committee set up to review L.I. 2180 for commercial use of ‘Okada’
The Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe has established a 13-member committee to review Section 128 (1), (2), and (3) of the Road Traffic Regulations 2012 (L.I. 2180), which currently prohibits the commercial use of motorcycles and tricycles, commonly known as ‘Okada.’ The committee has been given a three week timeline to assess the regulation and make recommendations on the possible legalization and regulation of commercial motorcycle and tricycle operations in Ghana. This move signals a potential shift in government policy on ‘Okada’ operations, which have been a contentious issue due to concerns over road safety and the economic benefits...
‘Betting isn’t ideal, but it’s solace for many’ – Felix Kwakye Ofosu defends removal of winnings tax
Government spokesperson Felix Kwakye Ofosu has defended the decision to remove taxes on betting winnings, citing the economic hardship and lack of employment opportunities faced by many young people. Speaking on JoyNews’ Roundtable, Kwakye Ofosu acknowledged that betting isn’t the most desirable activity, but it has become a means of survival for many. “We find that there were many youth who were driven into that activity because of hardship and the need for them to find something to do to make ends meet,” he stated. He argued that taxing winnings would worsen the economic situation of bettors, who are already...
Akufo-Addo’s Gov’t Squanders GH¢195 BILLION in Dubious Contracts!
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has revealed a staggering GH¢195 billion in contracts awarded by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) under the previous Akufo-Addo administration . Speaking in an interview with Channel One TV on Wednesday, March 12, just a day after presenting the 2025 Budget. Dr. Forson expressed alarm at the sheer scale of commitments made, prompting him to suspend payments while seeking further clarification from the MDAs involved. The situation is further complicated by multiple payment requests submitted to the Ministry of Finance. MDAs had awarded contracts over GH¢195 billion. Then, aside from that, the MDAs had...