Bawumia proposed abolishment of E-levy, but Cabinet shot it down – Miracles Aboagye

A presidential staffer, Denis Miracles Aboagye, has revealed that Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia proposed the abolishment of the much-criticised electronic levy (E-levy) at Cabinet, but his proposal was rejected.

The Vice President, who is also the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer for the upcoming December 7 general elections, speaking at the launch of the party's manifesto in Takoradi on Sunday, August 18, 2024, firmly reiterated his commitment to abolish the controversial E-Levy and betting tax if elected President in the 2024 general elections.

He outlined his administration's vision for comprehensive tax reforms aimed at reducing the financial burden on Ghanaians.

But critics of the Vice President have questioned why he's unable to advise President Akufo-Addo to abolish the two taxes now since they are still in government.

Others have accused him of doing very little to have both taxes abolished.

However, speaking on GHOne TV, monitored by GhanaWeb, Denis Miracles Aboagye, the Director of Communications for Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia's campaign, said the Veep, did his possible best to get the levy abolished but was unsuccessful.

First of all, he has proposed it [abolishment of E-levy] to Cabinet, but Cabinet disagreed with him. He's not the only person in government. He is not the president; he doesn't take the ultimate decision. He made this point about betting tax and e-levy several months ago, almost running into a year, but he is not president.

We run an executive presidency. You see, you can do politics and be sentimental, but the facts are facts. You are vice president, a minister, a cabinet minister. When you go to Cabinet, there is something called collective responsibility. But the ultimate responsibility is with the president. So ultimately, when the cabinet takes a decision, we are all collectively part of it. But why, you think there is everything in the government that I agree with? Even though I speak for government many times, I disagree with a lot. But I take collective responsibility for decisions of government. That is how sane societies are operative; that is the essence of democracy; otherwise, there will be chaos."