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A KPMG/UNDP 2025 Pre-Budget Survey has revealed that over 50% of businesses are calling for the removal of the E-levy and COVID-19 levy, while a substantial 72% of respondents support the implementation of the 24-Hour Economy Policy.

The findings also show that 80% of respondents are confident that the new government’s policies in the 2025 budget will drive economic recovery. This optimism is largely based on anticipated tax relief and the successful rollout of the 24-hour economy.

The survey which was conducted via face-to-face interviews and online instruments from 11th to 21st February 2025, gathered insights from 233 leading large, small, and medium-sized businesses across 10 sectors in Ghana on the impact of current policies and to offer actionable feedback to the government through the Ministry of Finance for the upcoming budget and future cycles.

However, abolishing the proposed taxes is expected to create a substantial revenue shortfall. Respondents therefore suggested that the government should explore alternative revenue sources while prioritizing expenditure reduction.

Key recommendations include expanding the tax base to incorporate the informal sector, reintroducing road tolls, privatising or divesting underperforming State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), and reviewing existing tax policies.

Furthermore, respondents emphasised the need for an enabling environment to maximise the benefits of the 24-hour economy policy. They recommend that the government enhance security and public safety, ensure a stable electricity supply, improve transport and infrastructure, and offer tax incentives to businesses.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, has confirmed that the government will abolish the E-Levy and the COVID levy in the upcoming 2025 budget, set to be presented on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

These measures form part of the government’s 120-day Social Contract, which outlines 26 key pledges aimed at revitalising the economy and easing the financial burden on citizens.

Among the commitments are the removal of the E-Levy, the COVID levy, a 10% tax on bet winnings, and the emissions levy—all within the administration’s first 90 days in office.

Addressing journalists in Accra on Friday, March 7, Ofosu also revealed plans to review taxes and levies on vehicles and equipment imported for industrial and agricultural purposes.

He further highlighted the government’s intention to launch the 24-Hour Economy Policy and implement a ‘No-Academic-Fee’ policy for all first-year students in public tertiary institutions. Additionally, the first budget will introduce the establishment of a Women’s Development Bank and key job creation programmes.

The minister of the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, with advice from the North East Regional Security Council, has reviewed the curfew hours imposed on Walewale and its environs.

The curfew hours, previously set from 8:00 pm to 5:00 am, have been revised to 10:00 pm to 4:00 am, effective Monday, March 10, 2025.

This review follows positive security development in the area. There has been no attack in the enclave since the dawn-to-dusk curfew was imposed, allowing travelers to journey safely along the troubled Bolgatanga-Tamale highway.

The Interior Ministry, however, admonished the youth, chiefs and traditional rulers in the area to channel their grievances through civil means to the right authorities rather than engaging in violence. Attacks on travelers on the Bolgatanga-Walewale highway surged around early February 2025, leading to an imposition of the curfew.

About 13 people, including an infant, were killed, and three buses burnt to ashes in the area in February 2025.

However, since the imposition of the curfew, no life has been lost.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has voiced his disappointment over the lack of gender balance in President John Dramani Mahama’s cabinet, stating that any appointments falling below the 30% benchmark for women are unacceptable.

Speaking at an International Women’s Day event in Parliament, Bagbin highlighted that only two out of 19 Cabinet Ministers are women—far below the 30% requirement set by the Affirmative Action Gender Equality Act.

“We have tarried long enough in passing the bill. Let us not apply the same wishy-washy attitude towards its implementation. I am not impressed with what I have seen so far regarding the leadership position of women in Parliament, committees of Parliament, and appointments into senior positions. Even the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection is not a cabinet ministry,” he lamented.

Bagbin urged Parliament to lead by example in promoting gender equality, calling for a review of leadership positions within the House.

“So, I call on leadership, and I will lead it. They have to consider the reconstitution of leadership in the House. We passed the law, so we have to lead by example. Out of the 43 committees in Parliament, only four are chaired by women. And out of 19 ministers of state in the cabinet, only two are women. So, why did we spend all the resources and time to pass the law? We have to sit up,” he added. He stressed the need for concrete action to ensure the full implementation of the Affirmative Action Gender Equality Act, urging authorities to uphold their commitments to gender inclusivity in governance.

The High Court (Human Rights Division) has quashed the Bank of Ghana’s (BoG) revocation of the operating licence of Ideal Finance Limited.

The ruling, which was delivered on Monday, March 10, marks a major victory for the defunct financial institution in its legal battle against the central bank.

The court ruled that the Bank of Ghana failed to exhaust the proper procedures required for the revocation of Ideal Finance’s licence.

The BoG had revoked Ideal Finance’s licence as part of its financial sector cleanup exercise, citing insolvency and poor governance structures. However, the court ruled that the revocation was unjustified, effectively restoring the company’s legal standing.

Background

On August 16, 2019, the Bank of Ghana revoked the licenses of 23 insolvent savings and loans and finance house companies, including Ideal Finance, GN Savings and Loans, First Allied Savings and Loans, Midland Savings and Loans, and Unicredit Savings and Loans.

The Central bank justified its action by stating that these institutions remained insolvent despite being given ample time to recapitalize.

BoG’s financial sector cleanup was aimed at restoring confidence and stability within the banking system, but it also led to the collapse of numerous institutions, leaving depositors and stakeholders in financial distress.

Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene is cautioning sanitation offenders in the region against indiscriminate littering.

The once beautiful garden city of Kumasi is now engulfed with heaps of filth in major drains, market centres, and other residential areas, serving as breeding grounds for various contagious diseases. The minister, together with Zoomlion Company Limited and some residents, embarked on a clean-up exercise to tidy up some selected areas in Kumasi, including markets.

The initiative was part of Ghana’s 68th Independence Day celebration.

The clean-up exercise took place at Manhyia, Aboabo station, and Alaba market, where drains were choked with plastics and organic waste.

Addressing the media after the exercise, Dr. Amoakohene highlighted how plastic pollution contributes to flooding in the city.

“We are finding a lasting solution to the flooding aspect in the region, that made us select these places to hold the clean-up exercise because this area is a flood prone area in Kumasi,” he said. Dr. Amoakohene emphasized the need to institute proactive measures ahead of the rainy season.

‘”That is why on the Independence Day celebration, we are desilting all the choked gutters to liberate ourselves from poor sanitation,” he said.

He assured of the re-introduction of sanitation guards to instill sanitary discipline in residents and fight poor sanitation in the region. The Minister impressed on meting out punitive measures to sanitation offenders.

“We are out, and we will be more radical on especially those who make refuse in their homes and dump them in the various drains. It is unacceptable, and anyone who is found or caught will not be spared. The law will take its course,” he said.

President John Dramani Mahama has called for an end to the conflict in Bawku and other areas experiencing unrest, urging Ghanaians to embrace lasting peace for future generations.

Speaking at Ghana’s 68th Independence Anniversary celebration on March 6, he appealed to the people of Bawku, emphasizing the urgent need for unity.

“To the people of Bawku and other areas, it is time for lasting peace to prevail,” he stated.

Quoting Ghana’s first President, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, he underscored the power of unity: “The forces that unite us are inherently and far greater than the divisions imposed upon us.”

Mahama further stressed that his appeal came not just as President but as a son and brother entrusted with a solemn duty.

“Our children deserve to inherit a peaceful land where their dreams are nurtured, not where their nightmares are relived. They deserve to inherit a land where our markets are bustling with trade, not tension and conflict. They deserve schools that echo with learning, not melancholic silence,” he stated.

He urged the people to reject division, mistrust, and past grievances, calling for reconciliation.

“Let us give the renewal of friendship a chance. Let us give peace a chance,” he urged.