Will you pay GHC 0.23 daily for using social media?

A world where social media cost more than your internet

Story: Irene Owusu-Ansah.

Irene writes,

Can you afford to pay GHC 0.23 daily for using social media?

I am wondering how you would respond to a daily levy of GHC 0.23 to use Facebook or any other Social media platform. This is the reality of your colleagues in Uganda.

Users of WhatsApp, Facebook, Skype and Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn etc. in Uganda are paying a daily tax from this onset of this month due to a law passed late on Wednesday by Uganda’s parliament.

Ugandans pay 200 shillings daily as Social Media Levy

It not actually a ban but Ugandans are being taxed 200 shillings (GHC 0.23) daily for accessing all social media platforms which are perceived by rights activists as a bid to stifle free speech.

The few Ugandans who have been able to afford the tax and are accessing various Social media platforms are describing the situation as unjust and a means to restrict open forums. This the medium where people, especially the youth to discuss problems facing the youths and as well criticize policies introduced by the 23-year government.

 

Justification by authorities in Uganda for social media levy

Finance minister David Bahati said the aim of the legislation was only to raise revenue for public services. However, the president, Yoweri Museveni, wrote to the finance ministry in March urging the introduction of the tax as a way to deal with the consequences of online “gossip”.

Alternative means for Social media users in Uganda

Currently, only Ugandans are using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access the internet and social media without being taxed.  

Although this will cost more because one has to use more data and so could end up costing more money than the tax itself but some prefer paying more than being taxed to finance the corrupt deeds of the government machinery. 

Can you stand similar legislation in Ghana?

Let’s hear from you. Leave a comment.

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