Michael Kyere Baafi, Member of Parliament for New Juaben South and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, has urged to Ghana’s churches to accept the electronic transfer levy act (e-levy) so that the government can raise cash for development.
He acknowledged that the levy is concerning, but that it is vital to assist the government in dealing with the economic disruption created by the COVID-19 outbreak in order to recover.
As a result, Okyere Baafi has urged Ghana’s churches to embrace the e-levy for the sake of national progress.
On Sunday, he announced this in Koforidua at the conclusion of the Church of Pentecost’s Easter Convention in the Koforidua Area.
“What the church can do to help the country are prayers and promoting the patriotism. You will agree with me that the country is going through some difficulties because we didn’t see COVID-19 coming to disrupt the economy. But by the grace of God and your prayers the economy is recovering. I know that you will not stop praying for the country so that the country crashes. Continue to remember President Akufo Addo and his appointees in prayers”.
“The second issue about patriotism, many things have happened some are quiet difficult decisions but all for the sake of the country’s development. That is why the President and the Finance Minister initiated e-levy. We know it is difficult but it is for the sake of national development so accept it for us. If the church doesn’t accept e-levy nobody can accept it .We know it is quiet worrying but at all cost try to welcome the e-levy to enable government embark on developmental projects”
The comment by the Lawmaker was greeted with hisses by the congregants seething their resentment about the e-levy.
However, the chairman of The Church of Pentecost Apostle Eric Nyamekye said once the bill has been passed into law, the church has accepted it but leaves the responsibility of prudent management of the revenue on government.
“This is the only country we have. If for nothing at all we have peace. some of the countries around us are fighting but we have peace .So I wanted the Honourable (Okyere Baafi) to confidently speak on the e-levy but he was being apologetic. Once the bill has been passed into law, that’s all , we have all accepted it. We all must come together and contribute for government to develop the country.Do your part and leave the burden of prudent management of the revenue to government,” said Apostle Nyamekye.
