13 January 2025
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Ghana’s Finance Minister-designate, has committed to abolishing the betting tax and the controversial E-levy in his first budget if approved by Parliament.
Speaking before the Appointments Committee on Monday, January 13, Dr. Forson argued that the current betting tax had not fulfilled its intended goals and should be scrapped. “I insist that the betting tax must be abolished, and as Finance Minister, I will ensure its removal in my first budget because it has failed to deliver the expected outcomes,” he declared.
He emphasized that the tax has not generated the anticipated revenue and has instead placed an undue burden on the betting sector without benefiting the broader economy.
Dr. Forson also reaffirmed his strong stance on the E-levy, stating that his position on the levy remains unchanged. “My position on the E-levy is well-known. I have written articles about it, and I stand by that position,” he stated. He questioned the classification of the levy, describing it as neither a direct nor an indirect tax. “I don’t know how to classify it,” he said, highlighting concerns about its effectiveness within the current fiscal framework.
The Finance Minister-designate stressed that his focus would be on creating a more sustainable and efficient tax system that promotes economic growth while easing unnecessary burdens on the public.
