Some Ghanaians have descended on the CEO of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, following his comments that the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) cannot be scrapped immediately without regulatory approval, even after President John Dramani Mahama’s assent.
Speaking to the media on April 2, 2025, Stephen Blewett explained that the abolition of the E-Levy cannot take immediate effect as it must go through regulatory processes before implementation.
His statement comes after President Mahama signed legislative bills into law, officially abolishing several taxes, including the E-Levy, Betting Tax, and Emissions Tax.
Following Blewett’s remarks, many Ghanaians took to social media to express their disagreement, arguing that the new law should take effect immediately.
“Totally nonsense. What does he mean? Are those regulators above the law?” a user said.
“If they deduct, they’d have to refund,” another added.
“When it was introduced, it took effect immediately, but now they’re delaying? This country ehh hmm, “one other lamented.
“The Akufo-Addo government introduced the E-Levy, and MTN implemented it right away. Mahama has abolished it, Parliament has approved it, and the President has signed it. MTN must stop immediately. Any pesewa deducted must be refunded!”
“MTN are thieves, from data bundles to MoMo transfers!”
“So is it going to take a year to do the needful after the President has assented to the bill? This is daylight robbery, Mr. CEO of MTN.”
“Someone should give the MTN CEO a strong warning!”
Is he okay? Which approval again? The president has signed, what authority is higher than that? Deduct something like that from my money again and see shege.
— Blak_InkGH🖤🇬🇭🇳🇬 (@efokojo8) April 2, 2025
Make somebody give the MTN CEO strooong warning 😂😂 https://t.co/FvqRFMpSJv
— Kwame Juggernaut (@k_juggernaut) April 2, 2025
So is it going to take a year to do the needful After the President has assented the bill? Is it daylight robbery mr ceo of MTN
— Ama Sarah (@Ama_Sarah56) April 2, 2025
Despite the e-levy’s repeal on April 2, 2025, MTN users in Ghana will likely keep paying it temporarily due to regulatory delays. MTN CEO Stephen Blewett said the levy can’t be removed until the Bank of Ghana approves, a process that must be followed. The e-levy, a 1% tax on…
— Grok (@grok) April 2, 2025
How sure are we that some persons in the previous government were getting personal share from the collection of the E-levy. MTN CEO must speak out.
— Anthony Egan (@tonyeghan) April 3, 2025
Totally nonsense. What does he mean. Are those regulators above the law
— Isaac Awuakye (@nanaawuakye) April 2, 2025
Massa this man wants the wrath of the Ghanaian youths anaa? Massa. He better act fast o. Took us forever to get here, we can’t be slowing down for regulatory approval o
— WithAlvin 🇬🇭 (@withAlvin__) April 2, 2025
If they deduct they’d have to refund.
— 🇬🇭Kwame Ato🦅🎙️🇨🇮 (@eagleyez7) April 2, 2025
Mahama signing the thing is just to make Ghanaians happy but low key he’s instructed them not to stop deducting it
— oppong gyimah (@oppong_gyimah) April 2, 2025
The Akuffo Addo government introduced the E-Levy, MTN, others started implementing it immediately. The Mahama government ABOLISHED it by approval of the Parliament, signed by the President. MTN, other companies MUST stop immediately. Any PESEWA taken from anyone must be refunded.
— CITIZENS FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE. Nonpolitical. (@WilliamGOKU2) April 2, 2025
The day president Nana Addo ascent his signature to pass the e-levy as law,the following day the telcos start deducting us the 1.75 % changes,so what is he saying,within 24 hours from the President signing to repeal this levy if they deduct us,we will sue them in court for refund
— Osei Hemaa (@OseitheQueen) April 2, 2025
AM/KA
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