Ghana’s parliament on Friday rejected the government’s 2022 budget proposal due to concerns over an electronic banking levy.
It was the first time the national budget has been rejected since 1981 in the West African country.
Ghana’s parliament is split between the two main parties following an election a year ago, increasing the risk of gridlock as the country struggles to rebound from the impact of the global pandemic and a heavy debt burden.
Friday’s setback came after the government introduced a proposed new levy on electronic bank transactions, including popular mobile phone money apps.
The opposition MPs then voted down the proposal.
“The 2022 budget has been rejected by Parliament,” opposition lawmaker Sam George wrote in a Tweet. “We as a minority took a stand with the people of Ghana to reject a budget that had the obnoxious E-Levy, increased government fees and charges. Victory for Ghana.”
