A fight broke out in Ghana’s parliament late Monday when lawmakers debated a proposed tax on electronic transactions that has divided the chamber for weeks.
Members of parliament rushed to the front of the chamber after Vice President Joseph Osei-Owusu suggested that the tax be debated and voted on under an expedited “rush” procedure. Some threw their fists and struggled while others pinned their colleagues.
The vote on whether to proceed with the urgent procedure was postponed until January 18.
“We need to show the country that our democracy is growing and that we will not suffer some of these unacceptable sins and spectacles that we have witnessed on the court,” minority leader Haruna Iddrisu said Tuesday.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta argues that the tax would expand the tax network and raise an additional 6.9 billion Ghanaian cedi ($ 1.15 billion) in 2022.
But his proposal was met with boos and jeers in parliament when it was first announced.
Opponents of the levy say it would disproportionately affect low-income people and people outside the formal banking system who rely heavily on mobile money transfers, reducing overall economic activity.
Ofori-Atta has committed to further discussions with stakeholders about the tax.
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