A section of the public is calling for the removal of the electronic transaction levy (e-levy) if the government reinstates road and bridge tolls. Reacting to the Mid-Year Budget Review, they argued that the e-levy was promised as a solution to the country’s revenue shortfalls. They add that if it has not delivered the desired results, necessitating the return of tolls, then the levy should be withdrawn.
On Tuesday, Finance Minister Mr. Mohammed Amin Adam announced the return of road and bridge tolls in 2025. He explained that the return of the tolls was to improve road and infrastructure in the country. However, members of the public who spoke to The High Street Journal disagree with the government’s position.
“This government is just taking advantage of us citizens. They swore the e-levy was the solution and was a better option, so they stopped road tolls. We citizens were against the e-levy, but they went ahead and introduced it and mocked us with a cake celebration. Now they want to bring back what they canceled because of the e-levy they swore was going to change the country?” said one disgruntled citizen.
Others focused on the high cost of living. “The prices of goods these days are too much. Huge taxes on import duties. Traders and buyers can’t enjoy. Failed government,” said an X user, using the hashtag #NPPmustgo.
Finance Minister during the presentation of the Mid-Year Budget Review before Parliament, provided updates on key fiscal policies and developments in the country. The Minister stated that policies implemented by the current government were yielding results.
According to Dr. Amin Adam, GH₵54.5 billion was disbursed to support the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) and school feeding programmes. He also mentioned that the growth rate of 4.7 percent reported by the Ghana Statistical Service for the first quarter of 2024 exceeds the 3.1 percent recorded in the same period in 2023.
