The Minority Spokesperson on Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has reiterated that, no amount of persuasion can compel him to accept the 1.75% e-levy, proposed by government.

According to the legislator, the e-levy is a tax on a medium of exchange, thus he may support its introduction, only if Jesus Christ impresses upon him to do so.

“If God sends Jesus Christ and Jesus speaks to me, says to me that, hey, Ato, this is not a tax on a medium of exchange, with a superior argument, I may change my position. But until then, I stay where I am”, Mr. Ato Forson said.

Mr. Ato Forson’s remarks were pursuant to his vehement stance against government’s decision to impose a 1.75% e-levy on all electronic transactions from January, 2022.

Speaking to Evans Mensah on PM Express on Tuesday, the tax expert indicated that he is appalled by the decision of government to impose a tax on the working capital of citizens. In his view, the policy is insensitive, as it imposes untold hardship on budding entrepreneurs and business owners in the country.

“In fact mobile money services is an electronic money. So why do you tax me for holding cash? We have said that an attempt to tax mobile money will mean a tax on savings, a tax on pensions [and] a tax on capital. In fact you’re taxing the less privileged in society, and a tax on medium of exchange” Mr. Forson emphasized.

Touching on the chaos that marred parliamentary proceedings on Monday, Mr. Forson explained that the mayhem was stirred after the 1st Deputy Speaker decided to cast his vote on whether or not the house should consider the e-levy Bill under a certificate of urgency. This he said angered the Minority which led to verbal altercations and fisticuffs in the chamber.

Mr. Forson added that, in as much as the chaos was unacceptable, there is also the need to look at the triggers which brought it about.

Meanwhile, Parliament has adjourned proceedings indefinitely, in the wake of the fisticuffs which occurred on Monday evening. When the House reconvenes, they will be expected to bring finality to the e-levy Bill which continues to split opinions in public discourse.