Ghana Government To Tax Social Media (Whatsapp, Zoom And Facebook Users)

The president Akufo-Addo’s led government has closed that it might direct its attention to taxing whatsapp, zoom and facebook calls as part of the new tax, identified as Over-The-Top (OTT) digital services intends to address the shortfall in projected government revenue after the introduction of the infamous talk tax ‘E-levy’.

A senior minister in the Ghana government Ursula Owusu-Ekuful reaaveled this while addressing the Mobile Technology for Development (MT4D) conference in Accra; she stated that this will go a long way to help the to generate more revenue.

“We are determined to accelerate the use of digital technology, applications and services at all levels, build and protect our digital infrastructure, and enhance the capacity and digital skills acquisition of our youth. As you may be aware, it is only through tax revenue mobilization that such investments and more can be funded,” the minister explained.

“Currently, government is losing huge revenues from the MNO’s to OTT digital service providers as traditional sources of telecoms revenue like voice declines. It is important that we have a frank, open dialogue on this, and explore other sources of revenue within the digital services space to improve government domestic revenue mobilization,” Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful said.

According to Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekufu, the move is motivated by the shrinking use of traditional telecommunication services as people prefer communicating using the internet services, which are technically called over the top (OTT).

“Service providers as traditional sources of telecoms revenue like voice has declined.

It is important that we have a frank, open dialogue on this, and explore other sources of revenue within the digital services space to improve government domestic revenue mobilization.”- Minister, Communications and Digitalisation, Ghana

An over-the-top (OTT) digital service is a media service offered directly to telecommunication customers via the Internet. OTT bypasses cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms. WhatsApp, Facebook, Zoom, Skype, Telegram

According to the minister, increasing tax revenue is the only way that the government can continue to invest in expanding digital activities in the country.