The Bill was adopted at a reduced rate of 1.5% from the initial 1.75% amid a Minority walkout.

President Akufo-Addo is expected to assent to the Bill for it to become law.

Meanwhile, some celebrities have already reacted to its approval.

In a tweet, comedian DKB reechoed some promises the NPP and President Akufo-Addo made to the Ghanaian public, including insisting that the country has money and the NPP could do better in managing it.

Former #FixTheCountry convener, Efia Odo shared an old tweet from President Akufo- Addo from 2013 complaining about the then government.

“Oh how power and authority changes personalities,” she wrote. Efia Odo added that she would not do a mobile money transaction again if the Bill finally becomes a law.

Comedian Warris only prayed government fulfils its promises of using the revenue gained from taxing Mobile Money transactions to develop the country and eradicate the economic challenges.

“God lead our leaders! Let their works with this E-levy reflect in the lives of Ghanaians! Let them help Ghana with the money.”

He also jokingly exchanged some banter with Hiplife sensation, Kofi Kinaata on transaction via MoMo after the passage of the bill.

The comedian said after the passage of the Bill he is now ready to repay a loan he took from Kofi Kinaata. However, the musician said he is ready to run to any part of the country for the money.

Meanwhile, although they have not talked about it since its approval, some celebrities in the past vehemently opposed the Bill on numerous occasions.

Rapper Sarkodie in a tweet said he does not believe Ghanaians are kicking against the proposed Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) because it is “bad”.

According to him, many are not in support of the levy because citizens do not get to enjoy the benefits that come with paying taxes unlike their counterparts in the west.

Shatta Wale had said the leaders of the country are being insensitive to the plight of Ghanaians with the introduction of the Bill.

Lydia Forson noted that the introduction of the levy will push the country’s digitisation plan, backwards.

She indicated that there is nothing good about the levy.

In a post on Twitter, she noted that citizens are already being taxed for “nearly everything”, but they are yet to witness the benefits.

Kwesi Pee in an interview on Hitz FM said “I think it’s a little bit too much. I also think it needs to be scrapped, because it doesn’t make sense.”

Actress Yvonne Nelson had called on the government to shelve the implementation of the Electronic Transactions Levey (e-levy) because the masses are not happy about the levy.

Some Ghanaians have also reacted to the passage of the bill.

As globally agreed, the Vals Day, otherwise known as Chocolate Day, is marked with a touch of red or white colour.

Joining billions of people worldwide, Ghanaian female entertainers have marked Valentine’s Day in a special way.

Professional photos have been splashed on social media, and celebs with partners did not fail in exhibiting their love side.

Below are some photos garnered from Instagram:

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A post shared by Salma Mumin (@salmamumin)

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A post shared by Rosemond Alade Brown (@akuapem_poloo)

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A post shared by Sister Deborah (@sisterdeborah)

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A post shared by Selorm Galley Fiawoo (SELLY) (@sellygalley)

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A post shared by Mona Montrage (@hajia4reall)

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A post shared by Cynthia Tima Yeboah (@iamtimakumkum)

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A post shared by Cecilia Gyaase konamah (@abenaghanaofficial)

On today’s list, we’ll be looking at five Nigerian celebrities who left their jobs as doctors to pursue a career in entertainment.

1. Peruzzi

Nigerian singer Peruzzi popular for songs like Amaka and Somebody Baby studied Medical Surgery at Odessa State Medical University in Nigeria. He later revealed during an Instagram Live with Ubi Franklin that he left medicine because:

I went to medical school because of my mother. I had to abandon the lab coat because it wasn’t giving me what i want.

2. Dr. Sid

The doctor in Dr. Sid’s name is not just for show. The talented singer responsible for such hits as Surulere, Something About You, and Over The Moon completed a degree in Dental Surgery at the University of Ibadan and worked in a private hospital plus doing a housemanship for three years before pursuing a career in music.

3. Kiki Omeili

Nigerian actress Kiki Omeili most popular for her role as Lovette on Lekki Wives is also one celebrity who used to be a doctor. The actress attended the University of Lagos where she graduated with her medical degree. Speaking about her decision to quit medicine for acting, Kiki said to The Punch:

Some people think I’m crazy to have quit medicine for a career in acting. I’m just doing what I love. When I was in secondary school, I was always interested in stage performances and debates. When it was time for me to go to the university, I chose to study Medicine. However, by the time I was done studying Medicine, I realised that I was still drawn to the arts. I practised for a little while, but I needed to go with my passion.

4. Beautiful Nubia

Nigerian singer, songwriter, and band leader Segun Akinlolu popularly known as Beautiful Nubia is another artiste that graduated from the University of Ibadan with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1992. He went on to practice as a veterinary doctor for about eight years.

5. Kate Henshaw

Nigerian star actress Kate Henshaw is the final celebrity on our list. Kate is a very popular actress popular for starring in such blockbuster movies as Chief Daddy, 4th Republic, Stronger than Pain, Domitila, and more. After completing her primary and secondary school in Lagos and Calabar, Kate spent one year at the University of Calabar for remedial studies before majoring in Medical Microbiology at the School of Medical Lab Science, Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

Speaking on why she left being a doctor, Kate said during an Instagram Live:

I wanted to become a doctor so I could save lives. But I found out that I don’t like blood and injection. It became Medical Micro Biology which was an alternative medical practice.

According to him, the movie industry had problems that affected its members financially coupled with the outbreak of new coronavirus which has doubled their struggle.

He said, in an interview on Neat FM, that because the celebrity status comes with a certain image, they cannot voice out their problems.

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“I’m telling you the truth, a lot of celebs are suffering but there is no one to speak for them,” he said.

Bismark The Joke added that a lot of the entertainers are praying they get back to work immediately once the fight with the coronavirus is over.

The comedian is not the only entertainer who has expressed concern about how the pandemic is affecting them.

Afrobeat artiste, Kelvyn Boy, in a reply to a fan who asked for money said that things were not smooth for him financially.

According to him, many people, who do not have a grasp of the English Language, are missing out on the education carried out by the Health Ministry on the virus.

It looks like non-English speaking people are being misinformed, he wrote on Instagram.

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To demonstrate, Edem posted a video on his social media handles educating people on coronavirus and how to protect themselves in Ewe – his first language.

According to him, celebrities were making big money through endorsements for alcoholic beverage companies until the ban came into place.

“Nothing is working in the entertainment field and the main problem is because the government has banned alcoholic beverage producers from sponsoring events and also stopped celebrities from endorsing alcoholic beverages which is so wrong.

READ ALSO: Make laws to control ‘wee’ if govt intends decriminalising it – Ponobiom

“It is pointless to say that because we are celebrities, we should not endorse an alcoholic product. The companies have stated that the drink is for people above 18 years so how is the celebrity influencing underage people? They should kindly allow us to stay in business because the shows are not a lot,” he said in an interview with Graphic Showbiz last week.

In 2015, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) banned celebrities from advertising alcoholic beverages. The FDA said at the time that the ban was not only in adherence to a World Health Organisation policy but was part of efforts to protect children and prevent them from being lured into alcoholism.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the FDA at the time, John Odame Darkwa, told Adom FM that research conducted by the World Health Organisation had revealed that alcohol-related diseases among children were on the rise and attributed the development to the continuous involvement of celebrities in advertising alcoholic beverages.

He stated that underage fans of celebrities were easily convinced to practice what their icons did or said so celebrity endorsement for alcoholic beverages was dangerous.

ALSO READ: Nigeria has more opportunities than Ghana – Actress Beverly Naya

However, Edem said the ban’s negative impact was not only felt in reduced incomes for celebrities but entertainment events were also suffering.

“These alcoholic beverages played a major role by sponsoring these big events but now there is a ban on it. The decision is so wrong and has to be checked as soon as possible,” he said.

Away from his issues with the ban, Edem also explained why he hardly splashed his family all over social media saying he was the star and not his family.

“I am not against celebrities flaunting their family on social media but they should be known for something special.

“If my daughter tells me she wants to be a celebrity, I will put the measures in place for her to be but I do not want her to be known because of me. People should be known by their own potentials and talent,” he said.

Edem, who is preparing for the third edition of his Edemfest which will come off from Friday, November 1 to 3, said he was putting finishing touches to his upcoming album which should be ready by the end of this year.

The album, according to Edem, would feature some A-list artistes such as Sarkodie and Stonebwoy.

Source: graphic.com.gh

Celebrated Ghanaian actress cum producer, Yvonne Nelson, has opened up about the challenge, taking to social media to register her displeasure and also touch on other pertinent issues affecting the country’s arts sector in general.

In a series of tweets, Yvonne partly blamed some owners and managers of companies for the challenges of the entertainment industry.

According to her, some of them are only interested in lunch dates with celebrities instead of supporting the entertainment and arts industry.

She tweeted, “80% of entertainers in Gh(Ghana) just love the attention. Zero business drive. Entertainers in Nigeria organise conferences, we are here fighting ourselves on award shows and fighting for positions. Many are in it not for the money….., I know entertainers who would rather look nice and broke. Geeez! Killing. Entertainers in Nigeria, mean business. Edey bore me too much! Aah!!! (it is annoying) Talents going to waste every day! Companies in GH (Ghana) are so STINGY. Geeez! Their CEOs would rather ask you out for lunch.”