As Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson prepares to present the 2025 budget on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, many Ghanaians have shared their expectations and hopes for the upcoming fiscal plan.
In an exclusive interview with Happyghana.com, some residents expressed their anticipation, noting that during the 2024 campaign, President John Dramani Mahama promised to abolish nuisance taxes like the E-levy and COVID tax, as well as reduce import duties. They lamented that these taxes have negatively affected businesses and are hopeful that they will be abolished.
“My expectation from President Mahama is that he will fulfill his promise to abolish the E-levy, which he previously described as a nuisance tax. The deductions on money transfers have been detrimental to our businesses, so I hope he will remove it. Additionally, I would like to see a reduction in port taxes and the COVID-19 tax,” a resident said.
Some also disagreed with the president’s intention to abolish betting tax, suggesting that instead of removing it, the betting tax should be increased. They argued that, like lottery winnings from the National Lottery Authority (NLA), betting should also be taxed, as both are ways to generate revenue for the country.
“One thing I disagree with the government on is the decision to abolish the betting tax. I believe the tax should actually be increased. Just as lottery winnings from the NLA are taxed, betting on football should also be taxed, as it serves as another avenue for generating revenue. Therefore, I suggest the government raise the betting tax instead,” they added.
They urged the government to retain the responsibility of managing buffer stocks to supply food to Senior High Schools, rather than transferring the mandate to headteachers.
They expressed concern that this shift could lead to mismanagement of funds, as headteachers might prioritize other uses for the money.
