The Minority in Parliament has intensified its opposition to the controversial 0.75 per cent charge on MTN mobile money transactions, calling for a permanent end to any similar wallet-to-bank or bank-to-wallet deductions that are introduced without explicit approval from Parliament.
The demand comes after the Bank of Ghana (BoG) directed Mobile Money Fintech Limited (MMFL) to suspend the planned implementation of the fee, pending further consultations with stakeholders.
But the Minority says the suspension is not enough.
Addressing the media in Parliament on Friday, May 29, 2026, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin insisted that the policy must be completely withdrawn unless it is backed by a properly enacted law.
He argued that any attempt to introduce transaction-based levies through fintech platforms without parliamentary approval undermines constitutional processes governing taxation and public charges.
According to him, the central bank must ensure that no equivalent charges are applied to wallet-to-bank or bank-to-wallet transactions unless authorised by an Act of Parliament.
The Minority also raised constitutional concerns, warning that the use of fintech operators to implement such charges could amount to bypassing legislative oversight.
To address what they describe as a legal grey area, Mr Afenyo-Markin has called on the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice to issue a formal constitutional interpretation on whether such charges can be imposed without parliamentary approval.
He further urged the Attorney-General to clarify the legal framework governing taxation and levy collection in the digital financial space, particularly in relation to Article 174 of the Constitution.
In addition, the Minority is pressing for the Finance Minister to appear before Parliament to explain the circumstances surrounding the announcement of the suspended fee and to clarify whether the executive had any involvement in its formulation or rollout.
Mr Afenyo-Markin questioned the transparency of the process, arguing that Parliament must be fully informed about any policy decisions that affect financial transactions and the digital economy.
The Minority Leader described the development as a breach of public trust, adding that any indication of executive involvement without proper disclosure would require accountability measures, including a formal apology to the public.
The controversy over the proposed charges has added to growing debate over digital financial taxation in Ghana, with both political and regulatory actors now under pressure to clarify the legal and policy boundaries guiding mobile money transactions.
