Finance Minister-designate, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has pledged to remove both the E-Levy and the betting tax in the government’s first budget, should he be approved.

He maintained that both taxes impede economic development. He specifically noted that the betting tax brings in very little money, while the E-Levy inhibits digital transactions and hinders the nation's transition to a paperless economy.

"My stance on the E-levy is widely known, and I have no plans to change it. I have written articles against the e-levy, and I continue to support my position on the matter. The e-levy is not classified as an excise tax, direct tax, or indirect tax.

I am adamant that the betting tax be eliminated, and because it hasn't worked, I will do so in my first budget as finance minister.

Dr. Forson made it clear that his position on the contentious taxes remains unchanged.

"I'm not sure how to categorize that as a tax professional. The fact that the e-levy slows down the transition to a cashless economy does not imply that I do not acknowledge that it generates some revenue.

"It must be abolished," he said. "I have stated that I will eliminate the e-levy if given the chance. I would want to reiterate that, should it be accepted, I would declare that the charge will be eliminated in the first budget. Acknowledging the pledge, H.E. John Dramani Mahama declared, "We will abolish the e-levy as part of his 120-day agenda, and we stand by that."

NO NEW TAXES  

Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson further emphasized how crucial compliance is to raising Ghana's income. He feels that considering the nation's significant potential for income mobilization, there is no need to raise taxes.

"I've been researching Ghana's economy for a while, and I can say with confidence that the country has potential in terms of raising tax income. Raising taxes isn't always necessary to generate cash. We just need to increase compliance. We have the handles.

He pledged to raise the tax revenue-to-GDP ratio from 13.8% to 16% if approved.

“I will work with the GRA, the tax policy unit of the Ministry of Finance to ensure that we increase compliance, and ensure that we raise the revenue as much as we can.

When adopted, my goal is to raise tax revenue from 13.8% of GDP to 16%–18% in the medium term. We shall be able to evaluate ourselves against our colleagues in this way. Although I think there is promise, this does not imply that taxes should be raised.