Ghana President Mahama abolishes e-levy and betting tax

Starting today, Ghanaians will no longer have to pay a 10% tax on their gross gambling winnings.

Ghana.- In a significant development, President John Dramani Mahama has signed into law a series of bills repealing the electronic transfer levy, betting tax and emissions tax.

The taxes, which are unpopular with the public, were a key focus of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) party’s campaign, which pledged to abolish them upon assuming office.

The move also aligns with President Mahama’s election promise to remove the levies within his first 120 days in office. He said: “This is a commitment we made to the people of Ghana, and today, we have honoured it.”

The e-levy, implemented in 2022 by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), imposed a 1.5% tax on electronic transactions like online payments and mobile money transfers. As expected, the measure was met with widespread public backlash, with many claiming that it unfairly burdened ordinary citizens and businesses. 

The betting tax was introduced in December 2023 and required bettors to pay a 10% withholding charge on their winnings from betting, gaming and lotto. Like the e-levy, the tax faced strong opposition from industry stakeholders.

The process to repeal the taxes began on March 13, 2025, when Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson presented eight tax reform bills to parliament.

In addition to repealing the betting tax, e-levy and emissions tax, the legislation proposed changes to the income tax and earmarked funds capping bill.

On Wednesday, March 26 2025, parliament passed the bills and forwarded them to the president’s office for assent.

By scrapping the draconian taxes, Mahama aims to provide Ghanaian citizens with even more financial relief.