Efforts to obtain an injunction against the e-levy will be futile – Majority Leader

The injunction application filed by the Minority against the implementation of the e-levy by the Supreme Court, according to the Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, is a futile exercise.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmakers, in his opinion, did not exhaust internal Parliamentary arrangements to resolve disagreements over the bill’s approval.

The Minority in Parliament filed an application with the Supreme Court on Tuesday, April 19 to stop the e-levy deductions from starting.

On the 4th of May, the application will be heard.

Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta previously stated that the e-levy would be implemented in May of this year.

“We had some meetings with the Controller and Accountant Generals Department (CAGD) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and they said they should be able to put their system together right at the beginning of May,” he told Roland Walker of TV3 in Parliament after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo delivered the State of the Nation Address on Wednesday March 30.

After the third reading in the House, Parliament passed the E-levy on Tuesday, March 29. During the second reading, the Minority staged a walkout. They left after Mr Iddrisu stated that the NDC MPs are united in their opposition to the policy.

“They say they want to stop the implementation, but the bill is already being implemented, I don’t know what they mean,” Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who is also a lawmaker for Suame, said at a press conference with the Parliamentary press corps on Friday April 22. If Parliament has not postponed the operation, the bill goes into effect immediately after receiving the President’s assent.

“So, if you violate it, you could be prosecuted for violating the bill that the President has signed.” So this bill is in effect, the necessary structures are being put in place now; this does not imply that it is not being implemented; it is being implemented if the Minister informs you that the actual collection begins on May 1st.

“I believe we are witnessing a potentially dangerous spectacle in Ghana.” Parliament as a whole must be keeping the government on its toes, particularly through its committees, and if something untoward happens, a committee, an individual, or the caucus could raise the issue.

“The business of the house requires that these issues be discussed in parliament, with the structures in place to challenge any decisions made.” You can make a motion if you believe it was not an appropriate representation in the House and you have made your decision.

“They bear the burden of proof.” I’m not going to make any pronouncements on the injunction, but I’m sure you and I both know it’ll be a waste of time. As far as I’m concerned, let us try to exhaust all of the processes and procedures in parliament if you’re not satisfied and want to go upstairs. However, allowing us to go to court on the advice of a single person, when the matter had not been addressed in Parliament, is a very dangerous precedent in this country.

“Let no one delude or persuade himself that the NPP will remain in power indefinitely; the path you are on now will come back to haunt you tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.” Why are you afraid to litigate your case in the House of Commons?”