Residents in the Sekondi – Takoradi has reacted to the 2022 budget presented by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori – Atta in Ghana’s Parliament on November 17, 2021.
The budget which is aimed at Building a Sustainable Entrepreneurial Nation through Fiscal Consolidation And Job Creation. There was an additional tax of 1.75% on electronic transaction.
According to the Finance Minister, the introduction of the levy on electronic transactions would enable government to support entrepreneurship, youth employment and others.
“A portion of the proceeds from the E-levy will be used to support entrepreneurship, youth employment, cyber security, digital and road infrastructure amongst others.” He stated.
Since the announcements of the new levy, mobile money operators in the region have expressed their concerns on the issue.
Mobile money operators are of the view that, such levy would only collapse their businesses as the charges will be higher their customers.
They opined that, people would rather choose to transact with the banks which would have a dire consequences on their businesses.
Since the commencement of the mobile money business, most people find it more comforting transacting business in the comfort of their homes as against visiting the banks. The long queues at the banks deter people from visiting and resort to online banking such as the Mobile money.
Maame Esi, a Mobile Money agent disclosed to Spice Fm that she would opt out of the business as it will no longer be attractive in few months to come.
“By the close of the year, I would stop with this mobile money business, because it will not fetch me anything. There is tax on everything in this country and the hardship is unbearable.” She added.
