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Mahama Signs Bills to Scrap Controversial Taxes in Ghana

President delivers on promise to reduce financial burdens on Ghanaians with new tax reforms.

In a significant move to ease the financial strain on Ghanaians, President John Dramani Mahama has officially signed into law a series of bills aimed at abolishing several controversial taxes, including the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), Betting Tax, and Emissions Tax.

The signing aligns with the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) pledge to reduce the tax burden on citizens. On March 13, 2025, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson presented eight key bills to Parliament, which target the repeal and modification of various taxes. These include the Electronic Transfer Levy (Repeal) Bill, the Emissions Levy (Repeal) Bill, and the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, among others.

Introduced in 2022, the E-Levy charged a 1% fee on electronic transactions such as mobile money transfers and online payments. It was met with widespread opposition, as many believed it negatively affected disposable incomes. Similarly, the Betting Tax, which imposed a 10% tax on gambling winnings, faced significant backlash from the gaming industry.

During the 2024 general elections, Mahama, then the NDC’s presidential candidate, vowed to abolish these taxes within his first 120 days in office. By signing these new bills into law, Mahama has honored that campaign promise.

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