The Minister of Finance designate, Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, has promised to abolish the e-levy in the first budget of the government.
Speaking during his appearance at the Appointments Committee of Parliament on Monday, he said, “my position on the e-levy is not new. It has not changed, and I still stand by my position to abolish it”.
Dr. Ato Forson said his position on the e-levy does not mean that he does not appreciate the need for revenue. He added, “however, the e-levy is neither a direct, an indirect or excise tax”.
Dr Ato Forson said e-levy retards progress towards financial inclusion and a cash-lite economy. “When approved, I will abolish the e-e-levy in my first budget,” he said.
He said his topmost priorities include working very hard to lower prices, stabilise the Cedi and create jobs.
The Minister of Finance designate said in the short term, the government will anchor prices on careful expenditure-based front-loaded fiscal consolidation while protecting growth and the vulnerable.
Touching on inflation, Dr. Ato Forson said food inflation is a major driver of inflation and “there is an urgent need to reduce inflation by tackling food inflation”.
He said the government’s strategy to reduce food inflation is to roll out Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda (AETA)”, adding, ““I will direct government expenditure towards the agricultural and agri-business sectors to enhance productivity, make food cheaper and create jobs”.
