National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah

The National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has claimed that an NPP government led by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia would have abolished the COVID-19 levy and the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) by now.

Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo Morning Show on Wednesday, May 15, 2025, Ahiagbah criticised the John Dramani Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government for failing to deliver on key promises made during the 2024 election campaign.

Commenting on the NDC’s 120-day performance, Ahiagbah expressed disappointment over the lack of progress on Mahama’s 25 key pledges, including tackling illegal mining (galamsey), implementing a 24-hour economy, and scrapping certain taxes.

“We want to see changes based on the things he promised. When it comes to galamsey, we are not seeing anything; the 24-hour economy, we are not seeing anything. When it comes to the E-Levy, an NPP government led by Dr Mahamudu Bawumia would have definitely gotten rid of it,” he stated.

Ahiagbah further highlighted that the COVID-19 levy, which President Mahama has linked to Ghana’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, would have been scrapped under Bawumia’s leadership.

“One of the benefits Ghanaians would have had if Bawumia and the NPP won power is that by now the COVID-19 levy would have been scrapped a long time ago — in addition to the E-Levy and others,” he added.

The NPP’s communications director has consistently maintained that Bawumia’s leadership would have prioritised economic relief for Ghanaians, including tax reductions.

Meanwhile, President Mahama, addressing his administration’s 120-day social contract on May 7, 2025, stated that the COVID-19 levy could not yet be scrapped due to its connection to the IMF programme, though discussions for its review were ongoing.

GA/BAI