Ghanaians on social media have expressed various views on the Communication Minister-designate, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful assertion that the government of Ghana should start taxing telcos for mobile money transactions.
According to the Ablekuma West MP, telcos do not pay any tax on charges made on mobile money transactions hence the intention of ensuring that government rakes huge tax-profit from it.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful told the Appointment Committee on Monday that, “the transaction fees generated by operators from this huge traffic and volumes on mobile money platforms ought to be taxed.
“I am not saying that individuals who send and receive mobile money should be taxed however the fees they pay to all network operators for the service is revenue that they earn and the State has to be interested in that and has to tax them for it.”
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful also revealed that telcos have also resorted to making customers buy airtime credits via mobile money to evade taxes on scratch cards hence when given the nod she will ensure that mobile network operators pay revenue in that effect.
The Communication Minister-designate also trended on social media after she revealed that she helped Ghana rake about US1million in the Kelni GVG deal.
She further indicated that “If I have to do it all over again, I would. Earlier I started talking about all the benefits that this country has got from the Kelni GvG deal and I didn’t even go through half of it. In addition to the monthly savings that this platform provides, the broad management components have, from the inception date, raked in tax savings of GHS¢65.7 million.”
Ursula continued: “Over the life of the contract, the common platform is expected to deliver tax savings of approximately GH¢800 million.”
While many have waxed lyrically over her confidence in answering questions, some tweets also admired the personality of the Abelkuma West MP in apologizing for her untoward attitude to her colleagues in the opposition NDC.
See some of the tweets below:
Herrr Ursula Owusu be too much. Those vetting her seff make surprised at how well she dey answer the questions.???? #TheUrsulaEffect
— chorkor fresh???????????????? (@malikosomi) February 15, 2021
This cannot be confidence. Ursula Owusu is being arrogant? It takes a lot to be a leader. Serve!! #TheUrsulaEffect#GhanaApologizesToJM
— Makafui Theodore (@MakafuiTheodore) February 15, 2021
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful minister designated for Communications & digitisation, born 20 October 1964 is a lawyer,women's rights activist and a Ghanaian parliamentarian representing Ablekuma West constituency. #TheUrsulaEffect pic.twitter.com/kRKdqrOFM0
— N.B.A (@Boakyewaa_N) February 15, 2021
Honorable Ursula Owusu has really improved her constituency, lets see her bring it to the national level????#TheUrsulaEffect
— Twilight???????????????(RESTRICTED????) (@the_marcoli_boy) February 15, 2021
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful is an exceptional lawyer who's higher qualified to head the ministry #TheUrsulaEffect pic.twitter.com/3HyqOw9QyH
— ???????????????????????????? ???????? (@sabonzy) February 15, 2021
We need more Ursula's in Parliament. Her Confidence level alone ????????#TheUrsulaEffect pic.twitter.com/rzDegR3DlJ
— Jojo Stephen (@JoJo_Steven1) February 15, 2021
Ursula Owusu is a national treasure. Very smart lady.???? #TheUrsulaEffect
— Mr Pr?ssd?nt???????? (@Opresii__) February 15, 2021
Ursula owusu ankasa them for take the presidency seat give her saf ???????????? #TheUrsulaEffect
— Jason?? (@Jason_gh1) February 15, 2021
Ursula Owusu's English alone is making my distin stand up hmm.. English wey dey sweet like this ???? #TheUrsulaEffect
— Mr Pr?ssd?nt???????? (@Opresii__) February 15, 2021
We will have conversations with service providers like Netflix, Google, etc so they can provide cached services so that Ghanaians won't have to pay too much to use them - Ursula Owusu????????????
— Drayy???????????? (@drayy09) February 15, 2021
#TheUrsulaEffect
