Finance Minister Ato Forson to present bill under certificate of urgency to scrap E-levy and betting tax

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson will today, Wednesday, March 12, present a bill to Parliament under a certificate of urgency to repeal several taxes, including the betting tax and Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy).

The Finance Minister announced on JoyNews PM Express on Tuesday, March 11, that the bill, which also seeks to abolish the COVID-19 Levy, will be laid before Parliament for immediate consideration.

“Tomorrow morning, I will be going to Parliament to submit the bills, and I expect Parliament to take them through a certificate of urgency,” Dr. Forson disclosed.

He emphasized that the repeal process will be straightforward. “Repealing the taxes will be one clause each. Repealing the betting tax is very easy, the e-levy and all of those things we are repealing are quite easy,” he said.

Dr. Forson noted that because the proposed changes involve revenue measures, they qualify to be treated as urgent under Ghana’s Constitution. “It’s a revenue bill, and under the Constitution, you have any way to lay finance bills under a certificate of urgency,” he explained.

The Finance Minister expressed confidence that Parliament will act swiftly. “I assure you that I will do my bid tomorrow and submit it to Parliament, and looking at the urgency involved, I’m hopeful that Parliament will take it through the various stages and approve it for us,” he said.

Read Also: 2025 Budget: Gov’t announces major VAT reforms to ease tax burden on businesses and households

He further stated that the bills have the full backing of the Majority. “As for the backing of the NDC Majority caucus, we have it 100%,” he added.

Once Parliament passes the bills, Dr. Forson assured that President John Dramani Mahama will sign them into law without delay.

Good news for “investors”! Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson will present a bill under a certificate of urgency tomorrow to repeal the betting tax and e-levy. #Budget2025 pic.twitter.com/LuP9piLiAB

— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) March 11, 2025

The repeal of these taxes forms part of the government’s broader plan to eliminate five nuisance taxes under the 2025 Budget, aiming to reduce the financial burden on Ghanaians and stimulate economic growth.

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