Abolish E-Levy, Betting Tax: 6 political promises Bawumia and Mahama have in common

The Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, has reiterated his commitment to cancel the contentious E-Levy and scrap the 10% Betting Tax implemented by the current government.

Prior to the NDC’s youth manifesto launch in Accra on Monday, August 12, 2024, Mahama had, on several platforms, criticized these taxes, citing the significant burden it has placed on Ghanaians.

Likewise, the Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has also given assurances of his commitment to scrapping these taxes.

While John Mahama and Dr Bawumia, the two major opponents in the December elections, may not see eye to eye on many political issues, there are some key policies they both agree on and have promised to tackle if given the mandate.

GhanaWeb gives a breakdown of the key policies both presidential candidates have promised to address:

1. Cancellation of E-Levy

Mahama has criticized the E-Levy, stating that it has failed to meet revenue expectations, while placing unnecessary financial pressure on citizens, therefore, he will cancel it.

Dr. Bawumia on the other hand, who was reportedly opposed to the taxation of electronic transactions, said the initiative to move the economy to a cashless one will only be feasible if the population uses electronic channels of payment.

He said he will, therefore, abolish the E-Levy.

2. Scrapping 10% Betting Tax

On the 10% withholding tax on bets and lottery wins, Mahama said his next administration will abolish it and find alternative ways to generate revenue.

Dr. Bawumia, addressing the tax on betting, also said he will abolish it.

3. Free SHS

Dr Bawumia has promised to improve the free SHS policy introduced by the current government and address any challenges associated with it.

Mahama, who seems to share the same sentiments with Dr Bawumia, while addressing the challenges of Free SHS, said his administration will work to enhance and sustain the program.

4. Lean Government

On reducing the size of government appointees in their cabinets, John Dramani Mahama disclosed he will run a lean, highly effective and efficient government of no more than 60 ministers and deputy ministers.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has equally pledged to limit the number of ministers and deputy ministers in his cabinet to no more than 50.

5. Job Creation for Youth

As part of Dr Bawumia’s vision for the country, he has said he will create modern, sustainable and well-paying jobs, as well as training at least one million youth in digital skills.

This, according to him, will be achieved through the empowerment of the private sector.

On Mahama’s part, he noted that his administration will prioritise the creation of diverse jobs to employ the youth.

Additionally, he maintained that the youth will be supported to undertake digital startups and incubation hubs.

To that, he said one million Ghanaian youth will be trained in coding.

6. Reduction of Data Cost

Ghanaians are currently faced with exorbitant data prices set by telecommunication companies.

In response, a campaign urging these companies to revise their prices to make data more affordable has been started.

To address this challenge, John Mahama pledged that his next government will work with the telecom companies to reduce data costs and deploy free WiFi to schools and selected public places.

Dr Bawumia also disclosed his intention to have an agreement with the telecom companies under which they would be given offers to reduce the price of data.

This list may be incomplete but as of now, these are the most dominant ones that GhanaWeb has followed in the media.

MAG/AE