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The Minority in Parliament was successful in ensuring that the administration retains the GH100 Mobile Money barrier.
Parliament also agreed to reduce the Electronic Transfer Levy from 1.5 percent to one percent beginning in 2023.
During debate on the Bill's modification in Parliament, Ranking Member of the Finance Committee of Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, stated that the Minority would now support the fee to help the government raise GH2.2 billion for 2023.
"From the moment the levy was implemented till today, the value of GH100 has been degraded. So I'm not sure why that barrier should be eliminated. This charge, in our opinion, should be fully eliminated. We cannot remain the same individuals who reject it because we were unable to attain that goal and the government decreased it from 1.5 to one percent."
Meanwhile, Parliament has approved the government's planned 2.5 percent VAT rise for 2023.
As a result, Ghanaians would pay more for products and services in the coming year.
Despite the Minority's resistance, the House adopted the motion following a head count that gave the Majority 136 votes to the Minority's 135 votes.
According to Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu, such acceptance will just exacerbate the economic misery.
The Appropriations Bill for the fiscal year 2023 has been adopted by Parliament. The bill includes all projections of the government's anticipated spending.
For 2023, the government aims to spend GH227 billion, with GHS800 million coming from the Consolidated Fund and other public monies.
Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament, led the House in passing the Bill. "The Appropriation Bill 2022 has been read three times and passed," he stated.
Meanwhile, the House has adjourned sine die for the holiday season.