E-levy: Kumasi subscribers devise means to stay away from payment
A section of Ghanaians worried about the implementation of the electronic transaction levy, are utilizing unconventional means to remit money.
Some arrangement changing to the customary money in pocket and purse for exchanges.
Mobile money vendors, who are the most terrible hit, believe the drop in exchanges can be attributed to low state funded education on the e-levy.
Twenty-nine-year-old, Osman Yakubu Iddrisu is at a mobile money vending shop at Top High in Kumasi.
He guarantees this is his last electronic withdrawal for the year.
Before the presentation of the e-levy, Osman Yakubu Iddrisu sent money electronically to relatives in Accra. Yet, he is making attempts to stay away from e-levy charges on his exchanges.
“Before making exchanges, I will compare the charges. In the event that it isn’t favorable, I will resort to cash. I can choose to enclose the money by a piece of fabric and send it to the VIP station.
“I can permit cash out on my phone wherever I am. The receiver just needs to be close to a merchant to pull out the money,” he explained.
Osman knows the safety of his money may not be assured till it reaches the recipient. It is an unsafe venture, yet, he is never perturbed.
E-levy: Kumasi subscribers devise means to stay away from payment; resort to cash exchanges
Uncle Gilbert is in the same boat as Osman. For two (2) days now, he has switched to involving cash in the entirety of his exchanges.
Uncle Gilbert encloses his money by a piece of fabric to send to his mother in the Volta Region.
“I send money to my relatives in Aflao often. I don’t send the money electronically. I will package it in an envelope and reserve it inside a piece of material. I just need to call and alert them that there’s money inside. I’m prepared to take that gamble,” he said.
The refusal to undertake e-exchanges stems from questions that revenue generated from the electronic exchange levy would be used reasonably.
Be that as it may, others see no mischief in payment. Monetary experts predict a further decline in electronic money exchanges.
E-levy: Kumasi subscribers devise means to keep away from payment; resort to cash exchanges
Mobile money vendor, Samuel Prah, says the frenzy withdrawals have adversely impacted his business.
“Most recent 2 months and a few weeks prior, people were marching here to pull out money. I planned on stopping the mobile money business,” he said.
To win back his customers, Samuel takes his time to explain the processes and deductions on exchanges. This is yielding positive results.
“People were hesitant to keep monies on their phones. Whenever they come here to pull out, I take my time to explain the exchange processes to them. Slowly, I have been able to convince quite a number of people to stop the frenzy withdrawal.
“I think state funded education on the E-levy is little. A many individuals don’t seem to understand. It will be best assuming that the government beefs up their correspondence and state funded education,” he advised.
E-levy: Kumasi subscribers devise means to keep away from payment; resort to cash exchanges
Ashanti Area Director of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Mrs. Agnes Akosua Adu Boateng
The Ashanti Area Director of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Mrs Agnes Akosua Adu Boateng needs intensified state funded education on the implementation of the e-Levy to stop the frenzy withdrawals.
“It is vital to note that mobile money deposit, withdrawals, cash out, reserve funds on MoMo won’t draw in e-levy,” she assured.
source: myjoyonline.com
