President Akufo-Addo has granted Presidential assent to the E-levy bill which was passed into law on Tuesday March 29,2022.
The Presidential assent comes despite the suit filed at the Supreme Court by the Minority who have raised concerns over quorum.
The electronic transaction levy is expected to increase tax revenue by GHs 6.9 billion (US$1.1 billion) for the government to help reduce the budget deficit. Government after government has struggled with implementing a comprehensive tax regime due to the large informal economy.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of parliament Alban Bagbin today lashed out at the Supreme Court over its recent judgment allowing deputy speakers to vote while presiding.
The apex court also affirmed article 104(1) of the constitution which requires a quorum of half of entire MPs before voting. The Minority through its chief whip Muntaka Mubarak accused the Clerk of parliament Cyril Nsiah of masterminding the marking of seven NDC MPs absent in the votes and proceedings on Tuesday during the passage of the E-Levy.
Ablekuma Central Dan Abdul-Latif, New Edubiase MP Adams Abdul Salam, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare of Techiman North, Amenfi East MP Nicholas Amankwa, Zebilla MP Cletus Avoka, Boateng Joseph Appiah of Afram Plains South, and Sissala West MP Sukparu Adam Mohammed were all marked absent even though they were in the chamber.
Muntaka further faulted the clerk’s office for failing to capture the walkout of his side in the records questioning the motive for development.
