MTN Ghana customers eagerly awaiting the removal of the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) will have to exercise patience, as the telecom giant has stated that it must adhere to due process before implementing any changes.
Stephen Blewett, the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, made it clear that the company cannot cease charging the levy automatically, despite President John Mahama signing a bill to repeal it. Addressing the issue at the MTN House in Accra on Wednesday, April 2, Mr. Blewett explained that there is a process that must be followed.
“I can’t abolish E-Levy until I’m instructed to do so. If I take action prematurely, the Bank of Ghana will hold me accountable,” Mr. Blewett stated, emphasizing the need for official directives from regulatory bodies before halting E-Levy deductions.
President Mahama officially signed the repeal bill into law on 2nd April 2025, during a ceremony at Jubilee House, marking the end of the tax. This move fulfills President Mahama’s campaign promise to abolish the E-Levy within his first 120 days in office.
The E-Levy was initially introduced in May 2022 under the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022 (Act 1075), later amended by Act 1089. The policy imposed a 1% levy on electronic transfers, including transactions via banks and mobile money providers, with the aim of expanding the tax base and increasing national revenue. However, it faced significant opposition and fell short of its projected revenue targets.
In conclusion, while MTN Ghana customers may have to wait a little longer for the E-Levy to be removed, it is evident that the company is committed to following the necessary procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
