PARLIAMENT APPROVES GHC ¢6,371,467,598 FOR DEFENCE MINISTRY. Parliament has today approved the sum of six billion, three hundred and seventy-one million, four hundred and sixty -seven thousand, five hundred and ninety- eight Ghana cedis for the implementation of the programs of the ministry of defence and its agencies for the 2025 financial year. According to the report of the defence and interior committee on the 2025 budget estimates, this amount will further empower the armed forces to effectively play their constitutional mandate. The report revealed some updates from the ministry. It stated that, the Afari Military Hospital in Kumasi will be operationalised by the end of this financial year. Some lands belonging to the Armed forces are constantly encroached by private individuals without course to the ministry. The ministry has however, initiated steps to liaise with the lands commission to ensure legal documentation to protect the lands. In their recommendati

PRU EAST MP CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION ON WATER CRISIS. The Member of Parliament for Pru East Constituency in the Bono East Region, Emmanuel Kwaku Boam, has raised concerns over the acute water shortage affecting his constituency. He has called on the government to implement urgent measures to address the situation. Speaking to the press in Parliament, Boam highlighted the severe impact of the crisis on residents of Yeji and its surrounding communities. He revealed that the lack of access to clean drinking water has led to a surge in waterborne diseases, with over 187 people, including children under the age of two, contracting cholera and typhoid. Several severe cases required surgery. Boam emphasized the irony of the situation, noting that Pru East is surrounded by the Volta Lake. He urged the government to put in place the necessary infrastructure to ensure that residents can benefit from this natural water resource. He further stated that once the national budget is approved, he

PARLIAMENT ABOLISHED 10% ON BETTING TAX As of March 26, 2025, the Ghanaian Parliament has passed a bill to repeal the 10% withholding tax on betting and lottery winnings. This tax, introduced in 2023, applied to all gross gaming winnings. The repeal is pending presidential assent to become law. The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, praised this development, stating it fulfills a promise made to investors and stakeholders in the gaming industry. The abolition is expected to boost participation in the formal gaming sector and encourage compliance within the industry. After the bill went through the third reading, The 1st Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor presiding at the time thereby ensured that the bill was duely passed.

PARLIAMENT REPEALS E- LEVY Parliament has officially repealed the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), a tax imposed on electronic transactions such as mobile money transfers. The decision was made on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, and will take effect once the president gives assent. The E-Levy, introduced in 2022 to broaden the country’s tax base and increase government revenue, faced widespread opposition. Critics argued that the levy disproportionately affected the poor and negatively impacted the economy by discouraging digital transactions. Fulfilling a campaign promise, the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government moved to abolish the tax upon assuming office. The motion to repeal the levy was led by the Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, Isaac Adongo. Presenting the committee’s report, Mr. Adongo highlighted that the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022 (Act 1075), imposed a 1% charge on electronic transactions, including mobile money payments, bank transfers,

2025 Budget: Government to Incorporate Constructive Criticism – Finance Minister The Minister of Finance, Ato Baah Forson, has assured that the government will take into account constructive criticism raised during the debate on the 2025 Budget Statement. Expressing gratitude to members on both sides of Parliament following the conclusion of the budget debate, the minister emphasized that all concerns raised will be considered as part of efforts to reset Ghana’s economy. “Mr. Speaker, we have set ourselves key targets, and we are confident that these targets will be achieved. Our goals include growing the economy by at least 3.4%, reducing inflation to a minimum of 11.9%, stabilizing the exchange rate, and accumulating international reserves to cover no less than three months of imports. Additionally, we have set an ambitious target to improve the primary balance to a surplus of 1.5% of GDP and beyond,” he stated. He further assured that the government is committed to reviving the