The contentious E Levy went into effect today, Sunday, May 1, 2022. MTN, a telecommunications behemoth, is cushioning its beloved clients ahead of the new tax regime by absorbing service expenses for its lifeline users.
MTN’s regional representative announced at a stakeholder meeting with mobile money operators in Kumasi that, as part of the company’s efforts to share the burden with its customers, the company will abolish service charges on all mobile money transactions under 100 Ghana cedis as soon as the E Levy begins.
Mr. Osman, secretary of the Agency Bankers Association (ABAG), sent this message to members of the association, saying that the decision by the top telecom is a step in the right path. He urged members to inform all clients of the change in order to ensure that they continue to use the services. Osman encourages other carriers to follow MTN’s lead.
He went on to say that the E Levy only affects one-on-one transactions. This means that no e levy is applied on any transaction made at the agent’s location, including deposits and withdrawals.
Mr. Akosa, President of the ABAG, cautioned all agents to avoid the temptation of overcharging customers for transactions. He stated that any member who commits such crimes will not be protected by the organisation. To minimize armed robbery attempts, he also recommended members to collaborate with banks and avoid retaining too much cash.
It’s worth noting that money transfers using Vodafone cash are still free. The only fee is related to the e levy.
