E-Levy will not be collateral for loans – John Kumah

A Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah, has rebutted claims by some members of the public that the controversial E-levy will be used as collateral for more loans if passed by Parliament.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Ashanti Regional Youth Parliament yesterday in Kumasi, he described the assertions as palpable false, and without any iota of truth.

According to Dr. John Kumah, the government rather needs revenue to construct roads and other infrastructure because the nation has a huge infrastructure gap.

“So, it’s not true that the government is going to collateralise e-levy and all that. We’re going to have enough revenues to be able to properly deal with the contractors,” he said.

Dr Kumah, therefore, called on Ghanaians to support the e-levy to help the government embark on massive road construction works among others in the country.

National interest

Taking his turn, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, bemoaned the delay in the approval of the controversial e-levy.

He said Members of Parliament from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are being overly partisan in their resistance to the levy.

He argued that they must consider the national interest and help government develop the country.

“I am surprised that in Parliament, the Appropriation Bill has been passed. A component of the Appropriation Bill, a source of revenue, is now an issue. My question to the 8th Parliament is, why then did you pass the bill?” he questioned.

“Because the approval of the Appropriation Bill means that the government can go ahead and spend; you are also saying that the source of revenue in that bill can’t be passed. I think we need to start thinking more about this country and the development of this country rather than being too partisan,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority, Pius Enam Hadzide, said the passage of the E-levy by Parliament would ensure that the government delivers on its mandate.

“Nowadays, you here many politicians shout, ‘we won’t pay taxes’, ‘we don’t want E-levy’. But the question is, where does Ghana get money for building the roads and the bridges we want? Where will we get the money to finance Free SHS, building hospitals and pay salaries?” he asked.