President John Mahama signs bills to abolish E-Levy, Betting Tax and Emissions Tax in Ghana

President John Dramani Mahama has officially signed into law a series of legislative bills repealing several controversial taxes, including the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), Betting Tax and Emissions Tax in Ghana.

This follows a major campaign promise by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to ease the financial burden on Ghanaians.

The signing comes after Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson presented eight tax-related bills to Parliament on March 13, 2025. The legislation sought to repeal and amend various tax policies, including the Electronic Transfer Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025, Emissions Levy (Repeal) Bill, 2025, Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

Introduced in 2022, the E-Levy imposed a one per cent charge on electronic transactions like mobile money transfers and online payments. It was widely unpopular, with critics arguing it disproportionately impacted ordinary citizens and small businesses.

Similarly, the Betting Tax, which levied a 10 per cent charge on gross gambling winnings, drew backlash from gaming industry stakeholders who deemed it excessive.

President Mahama’s decision to scrap these taxes aligns with his 2024 campaign pledge to eliminate them within his first 120 days in office.

“This is a promise we made to the people of Ghana, and today, we have fulfilled it,” he reportedly stated after signing the bill into law.