I’m waiting patiently for the NDC to abolish E Levy. The way they will struggle after they abolish it – John Boadu, former General Secretary (NPP)

John Boadu, the former General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), made a sharp observation regarding the stance of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on the controversial E-Levy (Electronic Transactions Levy). Boadu expressed his skepticism towards the NDC’s promise to abolish the levy if they were to come to power, suggesting that while the NDC may indeed remove the levy, they will likely introduce another form of tax to replace it. His remarks hint at a deeper concern about the political nature of tax promises and the perceived deceit that often follows such decisions.

The E-Levy, introduced by the NPP government in 2022, was one of the most contentious fiscal policies in Ghana’s recent history. The levy imposes a 1.5% tax on electronic transactions, including mobile money transfers, bank transfers, and other digital payments. The goal of the levy was to boost government revenue, especially amid the economic challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the E-Levy quickly became a flashpoint in Ghana’s political discourse. Many Ghanaians, particularly in the informal sector where mobile money is widely used, felt the levy was an unnecessary burden on their daily transactions. Opposition parties, especially the NDC, fiercely criticized the tax, arguing that it disproportionately affected the poor and that the government was not doing enough to manage the country’s finances efficiently.

The NDC has been vocal in its opposition to the E-Levy, and one of the party’s key promises in the lead-up to future elections has been the abolition of the tax. Party leaders, including former President John Mahama, have repeatedly stated that if the NDC returns to power, they would scrap the E-Levy to alleviate the financial burden on Ghanaians.

This promise of abolition has been appealing to many voters who feel the brunt of the tax. The NDC’s rhetoric often emphasizes how the levy is another example of the current government’s failure to manage the economy properly. This platform has resonated particularly with younger voters and those in rural areas, where mobile money usage is widespread, and the E-Levy is seen as an additional financial strain.

However, John Boadu’s recent remarks on Kessben FM suggest a strong skepticism toward the NDC’s promise. He stated, “I’m waiting patiently for the NDC to abolish the E-Levy. The way they will struggle after they abolish it… They will introduce a different tax to replace that and that’s when Ghanaians will realize it was all deceit.”

Boadu’s comments are rooted in a common political concern: the idea that politicians, particularly in opposition, often make bold promises to gain support, only to face challenges in delivering on those promises when they come to power. In this case, Boadu suggests that the NDC may promise to remove the E-Levy to gain political favor, but once in office, they would still need to raise revenue, which would likely lead to the introduction of another form of taxation.

Boadu’s skepticism about the NDC’s approach highlights a key issue in Ghana’s political landscape: the role of taxation in governance and political strategy. Taxation is a critical element of any country’s economic policy, and political parties often find themselves in a balancing act between making promises to voters and managing the financial realities of running a government.

Boadu’s comments also bring to light the broader issue of how taxes are perceived in Ghana. Taxes, particularly those that directly affect everyday citizens, such as the E-Levy, can be deeply unpopular. When opposition parties promise to abolish such taxes, they tap into widespread public dissatisfaction, offering voters a sense of relief. However, the challenge for any political party, regardless of ideology, is to balance public expectations with the fiscal realities of running a country.

Ghanaians are increasingly becoming aware of the complexities of governance, especially when it comes to public spending and revenue collection. Many voters are beginning to recognize that abolishing one tax often means replacing it with another, which can create feelings of disillusionment or frustration when promises fail to materialize as expected.

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