President John Dramani Mahama has approved a number of bills that aim to eliminate a number of taxes, such as the emissions tax, betting tax, and electronic transfer levy (E-Levy).
This action is consistent with the NDC’s (National Democratic Congress) pledge to lessen Ghanaians’ financial burden.
In order to remove and reform a number of taxes and levies, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson introduced eight bills to Parliament on March 13, 2025. Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment (Amendment) Bill, 2025; Electronic Transfer Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025; Emissions Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025; and Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025 were among these bills.
In 2022, the E-Levy was implemented, which levied a one percent fee on all electronic transactions, including online payments and mobile money transfers. Due to the perception that it would affect disposable earnings, there was strong public opposition to its introduction. Gaming industry stakeholders also criticized the Betting Tax, which imposed a 10% tax on gross winnings from betting.
Prior to the general elections in 2024, John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) then-flagbearer, promised to do away with these taxes within the first 120 days of taking government if elected. His administration recently approved the modified tax laws, fulfilling the pledge he made during the campaign.