Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu, has described the approval of the electronic transfer levy also known as E- levy as illegal and unconstitutional, because the majority did not have the right numbers present to approve the policy proposal.

He described the approval of the  E-levy by the majority as a charade. He made this statement during a press conference in parliament adding that there is nothing like E-levy and describing it as unconstitutional and illegal.

“The majority of less than 137 conducting businesses only proceeded on illegal and unconstitutional business. Parliament did not have the numbers to take any decision that should be binding on Parliament and Ghanaians.”

Contributing to the E-levy debate on the floor of the House Haruna Iddrisu  described the policy proposal as punitive which if approved will further increase the “the high cost of doing business in the country.”

“E-levy is the nuisance of nuisance tax,” he said, adding that “businesses are suffering under your watch. We are united that we will not support E-levy, we will not vote for E-levy.

The minority leader reterated the stance on the levy, saying it was not captured in the business of the week presented last week. Minority leader added that it was not part of the business approved for the house.

On Tuesday 29 March 2022, finance minister Ken Ofori Atta moved a motion for the passage of the e-levy in parliament. This was after he presented a statement on the e-levy in the house.“I, therefore, move the motion” for the passage of the E-levy, he said.  Obuasi West MP Kwaku Kwarteng seconded the motion.

However, just before he finished making his statement Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu rose and said they could not deliberate on it because they did have access to the report. His position was supported by Tamale Central lawmaker Murtala Mohammed.

Ruling on the matter, Speaker Alban Bagbin said, “The copies of the report are being distributed now, I don’t think it is proper for us to suspend sitting, I will give you time to read the report to make a meaningful contribution.”

Bainamultimedia.com/Kubura Kailani