Ken Ashigbey, Chief Executive of the Telecommunications Chamber
The Chief Executive of the Telecommunications Chamber, Ken Ashigbey has stated emphatically that telecom companies will argue against any attempts by government to tax mobile money.
According to him, mobile money should rather be used as a vehicle to expand financial inclusion.
Speaking in an interview on TV3’s Business Focus, airs on Monday, Mr. Ashigbey who is also the former CEO of Graphic Communications Group said any attempts to tax mobile money transactions will be detrimental to government’s own digitization agenda.
Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu had disclosed that following the adjustment of the Communication Service Tax, the ministry is contemplating on introducing taxes in mobile money transaction.
She added that they have begun discussions with telecommunications companies operating in the country to ensure a smooth rollout of the new policy.
But the telecoms Chamber says any such move would not be in the interest of the telecoms industry or consumers.
“Don’t tax mobile money, the point we need to bear in mind is, mobile money already pays some taxes. There is withholding tax that are paid by our agents, where profits are made by the operators they also pay their taxes.
“The mode of payment, the transaction people do, don’t tax that”.
