Ghanaians on social media have expressed outrage after images and videos of a birthday cake that spelt ‘E-LEVY’ hit the internet.
The green-coloured birthday cake was captured at the 65th birthday celebration of Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.
Many Ghanaians have condemned the cake as insensitive because the proposed Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) Bill remains a major source of controversy in the country.
Following the emergence of what many are calling the ‘E-Levy cake’ on social media, there has been a push back from top governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) members.
The party members have said the widely condemned cake was not what the Majority Leader cut on this birthday and it was donated by members of the opposition with a sinister motive.
Other party supporters have said the cake was photoshopped.
READ ALSO: ‘Yentua demo’ today: Hundreds to pour onto streets to protest E-Levy, corruption
Many comments against the cake on social media have rejected those explanations.
While the government seems hell-bent on passing the bill, the Minority group in Parliament, civil society organisations, experts and many ordinary Ghanaians have voiced out the opposition.
The 1.7% E-Levy Bill, which has currently divided the Parliament, when passed will be charged on some mobile money and electronic transactions.
Many experts have urged the Nana Akufo-Addo administration to scrap the proposed tax since it will increase the hardship triggered by COVID-19 disruptions.
The government insists the proposed tax regime will shore up the country's depleting coffers, reduce borrowing and support the implementation of many infrastructure projects.
Below is a snapshot of scalding comments on social media about the cake.
Why is the NPP afraid of accepting that the E-Levy cake was from them and trying to push it on the minority?
— Yayra Koku (@YayraKoku) February 9, 2022
They said the E-Levy would solve all our problems, so why are they running away from it.
Anyway, I'm told the cake was a present from Chairman Wontumi. pic.twitter.com/xg7ogHaauz
NPP spin doctors and desperate propagandists should leave the NDC Caucus in Parliament out of their gross insensitivity and scornful disregard of the overwhelming majority of Ghanaians.
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) February 9, 2022
How can we present an E-LEVY cake to a party we were not invited to and knew nothing about? pic.twitter.com/RT9StJOgrX
So he's telling us that E-levy is how they plan to eat more of the national cake?
— Efo Dela (@Amegaxi) February 9, 2022
Got it https://t.co/39zyHLCGEA
Leading members of Ghana's ruling party are seen at a party carving up & eating a cake baked in the shape of the massively unpopular e-levy tax on mobile money & fintech services. Critics say the "eat cake" party is a bad metaphor given concern about "tax & chop". pic.twitter.com/HXYbTQc5Wp
— Bright Simons (@BBSimons) February 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/theakyemmafia/status/1491467599531720720