Business Owners Who Refuse to Accept MOMO Because of E-Levy Will Be Arrested – Deputy Finance Minister

Mobile money is a digital or online payment platform that allows people to transfer money between cellphone devices. Usually, users can receive, withdraw, and send money without being connected to the formal banking system in place. The electronic levy (E-LEVY) on all financial transfers will see a substantial increase in charges.

The implementation of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-levy) started on May 1 2022, as announced by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA). This caused anger in frustration on social media as some complain about being deducted the lowest amount they send and thus, the e-levy applies regardless of the amount you send.

Following the passage of the E-levy bill, some business owners are refusing MOMO payment following the fears of getting levied during the withdrawal of their monies.

It is believed that, a Radio Show Host, Adakabre Frimpong-Manso recently had a similar experience at a fuel station at Ejisu in Kumasi, where the station refused to accept MOMO payment for the service they rendered to him.

Reacting to the complaint in an interview with the Radio Show Host, the Deputy Finance Minister Honorable John Kumah warned these businesses owners that anyone who refuse to accept MOMO payment because of the E-levy tax will be arrested.

According to the Minister, rejecting any form of online payment system is a criminal offense just because the person wants to pay via mobile money.

Personally, I think the Government of Ghana and other stakeholders involve like the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) should rather be educating the people of Ghana very well on the E-levy initiative instead of arresting offenders.

By: Michael Djan
French Tutor and Digital Marketing Blogger/Content Writer and GhanaWeb Professional Reporter/ frencheducationgh.com