The E-Levy Palaver!

I’ve had the occasion to discuss the much denigrated E-Levy proposed by the Nana Dee government in the 2022 Budget Statement. I’m repeating the dose today because the blacksmith doesn’t hesitate to continue hitting the part of the metal he wants to straighten.

The proposed E-Levy has been so opposed and denigrated because the propagandists under the eagle-headed Umbrella have succeeded in hoodwinking a chunk of the populace into believing that the new tax regime was not in their best interest. The mischievous tales were swallowed hook, line and sinker because the recipients of the tales were not ready to part away with anything from the meagre cowries in their electronic wallets.

I’ve said this before and would repeat it here: many of those singing ‘scrap the E-Levy’ chorus are doing so ignorantly. Some are singing along because it is a party chorus, while others simply enjoy the tune. Either resisting the levy for party sake or for the fun of it, the ignorance is too glaring to ignore.

I’m sometimes amazed at the contradictory nature of my compatriots. We, as a people, demand to have the entire fine things life has to offer, yet are unwilling to make a little sacrifice to make those demands see the light of day. Simply put, we want everything given to us on a platter of gold.

Is it not intriguing that soon after chorusing ‘scrap the E-Levy’, the same bunch starts singing ‘we need roads, schools, hospitals etc’? Such blatant contradiction from my kith and kin makes me wonder if they are really thoughtful and sincere.

The same group will start singing yet another chorus: “Asomdwekrom’s debt stock keeps on rising.” Of course, the debt stock will continue to rise if innovative ways to raise cowries, such as the E-Levy, are fiercely resisted for parochial political purposes. Or do they want government to conjure cowries like manna from the skies?

Abusuapanin, what could be so diabolical than the internal memo signed by General Ntomtom to his party folks on why they should remain resolute in their quest to ensure that the E-Levy never sees the light of day?

Their main motive for opposing the electronics tax is to stifle the Nana Dee government of the needed revenue so the government would be compelled to go for an IMF bailout with its attendant restrictions, which would freeze employment and stop social interventions such as the teacher and nursing trainee allowances. How can such a power-hungry group be trusted?

As for those living abroad, the least said about them the better. You live in a country where you pay about 7 different taxes on top of your income tax, yet you come on Facebook or YouTube to dissuade your fellow Asomdwekromanian from paying E-Levy. Are you not a nation-wrecker?

In the USA, Canada, UK or wherever you live, you pay income tax, property tax, federal tax, provincial tax, ad valorem tax, health services tax, sales tax and gift tax. Why don’t you advocate same so your country can see some improvement in its infrastructural deficit?

Interestingly, these Facebookers and YouTubers always show us videos of the beautiful roads, buildings and railway infrastructure in their country of residence. What they do not realise is that the beautiful roads and fanciful infrastructure wouldn’t have been possible if citizens of those countries had resisted paying taxes as they are doing to the E-Levy today.

For a country with only less than 30% paying taxes on their income, E-levy couldn't have come at a better time. I therefore impress upon the government to do everything possible to let it come into fruition, despite Zu-za’s shenanigans in the House of Honourables.

As for ‘things are hard’, it is a common tune in Asomdwekrom. In the minds of my compatriots, things would continue to be hard, irrespective of the one sitting on the presidential throne. Not even Yesu Kristo or Nkomsheni Muhammad can change that perception in the minds of Asomdwekromanians.

But one thing is certain: posterity will judge the Nana Dee government favourably, even though some are complaining today. The efficient use of the E-Levy proceeds will make posterity’s judgement even more favourable.

See you next week for another interesting konkonsa, Deo volente!

From Agya Kwaku Ogboro