The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has issued a firm directive to all charging entities, including banks, fintech companies, and mobile money operators, to cease Electronic Transactions Levy (E-Levy) deductions immediately.
This follows President John Dramani Mahama’s recent repeal of the controversial levy, which was officially signed into law earlier this week.
In a notice, the (GRA) statred; with the E-Levy officially scrapped, mobile money and electronic transaction users should no longer see any deductions related to the tax.
The GRA has assured the public that any wrongful deductions made after the repeal date must be fully refunded.
To get the refund, users must monitor their transactions that is to check their MoMo, bank, and fintech app statements for any wrongful deductions.
And must report to your service provider If deductions persist, contact your bank or MoMo provider for a refund request.
Also, escalate complaints to GRA if unresolved, customers can file complaints via the GRA helpline or regional offices.
To ensure full compliance, the GRA has warned that any institution found deducting E-Levy after the repeal will face strict penalties.
The authority has set up a monitoring task force to track compliance and ensure prompt refunds where necessary.
There will be financial sanctions and potential fines for institutions that fail to stop deductions and possible legal action against persistent offenders.
Affected customers will be entitled to compensation for wrongful deductions.
Telecom and banking sectors have responded positively, with leading mobile money operators MTN, Telecel, and AirtelTigo confirming system updates to immediately halt E-Levy charges.
Fintech companies and payment platforms have also reassured customers that transactions will now be processed without the 1% E-Levy charge.
The GRA has urged the public to report any continued deductions, promising swift action to resolve complaints.
Officials will also engage financial institutions to ensure a smooth transition from the E-Levy framework.
President John Dramani Mahama has signed into law a series of bills that officially repeal the Electronic Transactions Levy (E-Levy), the Betting Tax, and the Emissions Levy, fulfilling a major campaign promise aimed at easing the financial burden on Ghanaians.
The scrapped levies collectively generated over GH¢3.5 billion annually, with the E-Levy alone accounting for a significant portion of that revenue.
In response to concerns about potential revenue shortfalls, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson stated that the government will implement alternative strategies, including expanding the tax base, improving tax compliance, and attracting foreign investments to offset any fiscal gap.
The repeal has drawn mixed reactions from economic analysts and opposition leaders.
While many citizens and business owners have welcomed the move, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) argues that scrapping these levies could widen Ghana’s budget deficit unless well-structured alternatives are introduced.
Economic analyst Dr. Kwame Osei warned that “while removing these taxes provides relief, the government must outline clear strategies to maintain fiscal stability.”
Meanwhile, digital payment platforms and betting companies have applauded the decision, citing expected increases in transaction volumes.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the tax removals take effect from May 1, 2025, allowing businesses and financial institutions time to adjust their systems.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has also been directed to issue updated tax guidelines to ensure a smooth transition.
The government has hinted at upcoming tax policy reforms aimed at shifting Ghana’s reliance from indirect levies to broader economic growth strategies. Further details are expected in the mid-year budget review in July.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the sustainable management of Ghana’s natural resources, as it leads a three-day National Landscape Forum in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation, and the World Bank.
The forum, held at the Marriott Hotel in Accra from 2-4th April, 2025 has convened key stakeholders, including government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, and private sector representatives, to address the pressing environmental challenges facing the country.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on behalf of the Minister, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Sulemana Yusif, underscored the government’s determination to combat deforestation, land degradation, and illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey.’
He said “Ghana’s forests, minerals, and water bodies are under siege. Illegal mining has reached crisis levels, stripping our land of biodiversity, poisoning our rivers, and endangering public health,”.
Hon. Yusif emphasized that the forum, themed “Natural Resources Management and Forest Economy for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth,” is timely as environmental degradation, pollution, and climate change threaten not only Ghana’s ecosystems but also the livelihoods of its citizens. He outlined a five-pronged strategy adopted by the Ministry to combat these challenges:
• Reforming the small-scale mining licensing regime to enhance transparency.
• Strengthening law enforcement efforts, resulting in the reclamation of seven out of nine forest reserves previously seized by illegal miners.
• Collaborating with communities, traditional leaders, and civil society to foster collective responsibility.
• Providing alternative livelihoods for affected communities to ensure economic resilience.
• Reclaiming and reforesting degraded lands to restore lost ecosystems.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted two key initiatives launched under the government’s 120-day social contract:
• The Blue Water Initiative – A collaboration with the Ghana Navy to train 2,000 community vanguards to protect water bodies, with the first 400 recruits currently undergoing training.
• The Tree for Life Reforestation Initiative – A nationwide afforestation project launched on March 21 to restore mined-out and degraded landscapes.
Hon. Yusif expressed gratitude to the World Bank and other development partners for their continuous support in Ghana’s natural resource sector. He urged all participants to actively engage in discussions and generate bold, practical recommendations that will drive meaningful change.
“As we deliberate over the next three days, let us leave with a renewed commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s natural heritage,” he concluded.
On his part, the Chief Director of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Mr. Partick Nimoh, who represented his Minister, Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, said Ghana is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Global Biodiversity Framework which provides a strategic roadmap for halting biodiversity loss and ensuring ecosystem restoration.
He asserted that by aligning our national efforts with this global agenda, the Ministry reaffirm it’s dedication to protecting nature while fostering economic growth.
He hoped that the discussion being engaged in over the next three days will shape the policies and actions that determine the future of Ghana’s natural landscape.
The National Landscape Forum is expected to yield actionable strategies for sustainable environmental management, reinforcing Ghana’s efforts to combat illegal mining, deforestation, and climate change.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the Deputy Chief Executive for General Services at the (EPA), Dr. Jacob Anankware affirms the EPA’s commitment, partnership and mandate to safeguard Ghana’s environment and natural resources to chart sustainable pathways for the future.
He noted that the Nations economy is largely dependent on natural capital which supports livelihoods of more than 50% of the population directly linked to it.
To be able to manage Ghana’s Natural Capital, Mr. Anakware said, there is a need for quality, reliable and timely data which can be generated through Natural Capital Accounting (NCA).
“It will provide us with a corrective lens, a scientific and policy- relevant approach to integrate the value of ecosystem services and natural assets into decision making at the national, sector and district levels”.
He emphasized that compiling natural capital accounting is the first step but applying them to restore landscape, design nature-positive and align public and private sector actions.
The Western Regional Police Command has arrested 11 individuals for operating unlicensed mining sites along the Bonsa River and Wassa Agona in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality.
The arrests, made on March 30, 2025, are part of Ghana’s intensified crackdown on illegal mining (galamsey), which continues to devastate water bodies, farmlands, and local communities.
Details of the Arrests
The arrests and dismantling of these galamsey sites are as follows;
At Bonsa River Bank Site – 5 Suspects
Wei Qinwei – 43 years.
Yao Yongji – 40 years.
Nsoh Oto (alias Agologo) – 43 years.
Kwadwo George (alias Sergio) – 20 years.
Emmanuel Van (alias Atta/AT) – 20 years.
At Wassa Agona Site – 6 Suspects
Nuang Shichuan – 46 years.
Huang Xinbao – 52 years.
Douglas Ayambilla – 19 years.
Elvis Aborta – 21 years.
Michael Tettey Komlorm – 34 years.
Ibrahim Dauda – 23 years.
Below are images of some of the suspects.
Seized Equipment & Mine Dismantling
Three excavators, water pumps, and mining tools seized.
Two major illegal mining sites dismantled.
Several other mining equipment remain unaccounted for as some operators fled.
Despite the arrests, some heavy-duty equipment remains unaccounted for, as operators fled upon seeing law enforcement officers.
Officials cite difficult terrain and well-coordinated escape tactics as key challenges in recovering all illegal mining assets.
Environmental & Economic Impact
The Bonsa River, a vital water source for nearby communities, has suffered severe pollution and siltation due to illegal mining.
The government, through the Minerals Commission and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on galamsey and pledged to intensify enforcement operations.
Law Enforcement & Next Steps
Speaking on the arrests, Western Regional Police Commander DCOP Osei Akoto Arthur stated:
“Illegal mining is destroying our water bodies and environment. These arrests signal our commitment to eradicating galamsey.
The suspects will be prosecuted, and we are pursuing those still at large.”
Below is a post made by the Ghana Police Service;
The suspects will be arraigned before court under Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703), facing potential penalties such as:
⚖ Fines between GH¢30,000 and GH¢180,000.
⚖ Imprisonment of up to 25 years.
⚖ Forfeiture of seized mining equipments.
The Police, EPA, and Minerals Commission urge the public also to report illegal mining activities and assist in tracking fugitive operators.
By: J.W Quarm
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