Ghana opposition to fight 'unfair' e-tax in court

Ghana's opposition has said it will contest a law introducing a controversial new tax on electronic payments at the supreme court.

The Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) Bill was approved by parliament on Tuesday.

It was considered under a certificate of urgency and was adopted at a reduced rate of 1.5% from the proposed 1.75%.

Opposition MPs refused to participate in the vote and staged a walk out, describing the tax as unfair.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta defended the bill, saying it would bring in projected revenues of $930m (£700m) per year.

President Nana Akufo-Addo’s government also said the move will help address Ghana’s high public debt.

The government recently announced sweeping spending cuts to tackle the deficit. 

It blamed worsening economic hardships on the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP