The majority leadership in Parliament has announced that the government will not withdraw and reimpose the controversial electronic remittance tax (e-Levy), as previously announced.
Rather, they said, the government intends to amend the controversial law.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta was expected to withdraw the bill in Parliament last Friday and introduce an amended version for consideration by Parliament next Tuesday, February 15. But that did not happen.
Deputy Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin stated in a speech that the Finance Minister instead made some amendments to the existing bill.
"We had announced that the electronic tax bill would be withdrawn and reissued, but it has become wise to consider rather an amendment because the Finance Committee has done a lot of work. So we have reached a consensus on the main points, especially on the tax rate that we are talking about lowering.
The minority caucus leader, Haruna Iddrisu, who opposed the motion, said the current development is distasteful and he wants the appropriate procedures to be followed.
"Last week they said they would withdraw the bill and introduce a new bill on Friday. It appears that they are talking about the amendment. Mr. Speaker, there is something else that is going on, and I think we need to express concern about it. The e-levy bill has been introduced in this House and has been referred to the appropriate committee. I firmly believe that even in seeking and obtaining opinions and input, it is not the responsibility of the Minister of Finance, but of our Finance Committee.
Previous efforts to discuss the bill in Parliament have not been successful.
Currently, the national debate centers on whether the government will push through the controversial 1.75% tax on electronic transactions, which is estimated to raise $1 billion a year, or whether it will be included in an IMF program.
Some analysts have suggested seeking an IMF bailout program in light of public disapproval of the e-tax, but the government has said it will not allow that to happen.
Others have rejected the call for an IMF program, pointing out that Ghana's only option now is to discipline its finances, cut wasteful spending, and avoid revenue shortfalls.