![Alexander Afenyo Markin, Minority Leader [left], Mahama Ayariga, Majority Leader [right]](https://www.citinewsroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/AFENYO-AYARIGA-55.webp)
The Minority and Majority Leaders in Parliament clashed on Tuesday, May 26, at the start of parliamentary proceedings over the proposed 0.75 per cent fee on wallet-to-bank transfers.
The disagreement prompted First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, to order portions of the exchanges expunged from the official parliamentary records.
Before proceedings began, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin rose to comment on the proposed fee, arguing that the government was attempting to reintroduce the controversial Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy).
“This announcement by the Bank of Ghana of charging 0.75 per cent when somebody transfers money from his mobile money wallet to his bank account. If the finance minister [Dr. Ato Forson may recall, his government decided to repeal the e-Levy law, and now the Bank of Ghana is introducing the e-Levy again? Now they announce that they have suspended it for further consultations,” he said.
However, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga objected to the remarks, describing Afenyo-Markin’s comments as an act of lawlessness and insisting that it was not the appropriate time to raise the issue on the floor of Parliament.
“Everything that he has said should be expunged from the records. Mr Speaker, this kind of lawlessness cannot be accepted. Not especially from a leader. Please let’s get serious. Don’t let us start this meeting on this note. For God’s sake, after votes and proceedings.
Mahama Ayariga added, “It’s not the first thing to do. The finance minister is actually pleading with me. To allow him to get up and respond to him, but I’m saying that cannot be accepted as a practice of this house. Otherwise, we descend to chaos and lawlessness. You, the minority leader, cannot lead in allowing this house to descend into chaos and lawlessness. Please let’s stop that. Let’s get serious as a house. We have rules.”
The exchanges between the two leaders briefly disrupted proceedings before the Speaker intervened and ordered the remarks struck from the records.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has directed Mobile Money Fintech Limited (MMFL) to suspend the implementation of the proposed 0.75 per cent fee on direct wallet-to-bank transfers pending further consultations.
The proposed charge, originally scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2026, has been put on hold to allow for broader stakeholder engagement and review.
The wallet-to-bank transfer fee announced by MMFL had sparked public debate over its potential impact on digital transactions and financial inclusion.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, the central bank said the decision forms part of efforts to ensure fairness in the mobile financial services ecosystem while protecting consumers.
