Build public trust that revenue will be used wisely, Jantuah advises the government

Mr Kwame Jantuah, an energy expert and private legal practitioner, has stated that the government has failed to instill trust in Ghanaians that the cash envisaged to be collected from the e-levy implementation will be used appropriately.

He believes the administration will have to put in a lot of effort to earn the people’s trust and confidence.

On Friday, April 1, he said on TV3’s New Day show with Berla Mundi, “I feel sad for government communicators,” adding, “One thing I hoped they’d do is start establishing confidence in the people of Ghana.” They haven’t built the confidence yet, so it’s like a trophy they’ve won.”

The Electronic Transaction Levy (e-levy) bill was signed into law by President Akufo-Addo on Thursday, March 31.

After the minority staged a walkout, the proposal was approved by a one-sided Parliament on Tuesday, March 29.

On Wednesday, March 30, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta said that deductions will begin in May of this year.

The Controller and Accountant General (CAGD) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), who will be the revenue collectors, have assured him of this.

He told TV3’s Roland Walker in Parliament after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo delivered the State of the Nation Address, “We had some meetings with the Controller and Accountant Generals Department (CAGD) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and they have said they should be able to put their system together right at the beginning of May.”

The bill’s passage by the House has prompted the Minority to file a lawsuit against the Attorney General in the Supreme Court.

The approval was labeled illegitimate and unconstitutional by Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, who claimed that the Majority lacked the necessary votes to pass it.

At a news conference in Parliament, he declared, “This is a sham,” adding, “There is no E-levy.”

“The vast majority of the 137 enterprises that were open solely conducted unlawful and unconstitutional activity.” He went on to say that Parliament lacked the necessary numbers to make any decisions that would bind Parliament and Ghanaians.