General Secretary of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, has expressed his disappointment at the vigorous attempt by the government to have Ghanaians accept E-Levy and possibly have it passed by parliament.
He says their desperate attempt clearly shows that it is a government that lacks ideas to generate revenue for the development of the country.
On November 17, 2021, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, announced the introduction of a 1.75% tax on all electronic transactions during the 2022 Budget Statement presentation to parliament.
According to him, this new directive forms part of strategies to widen the country’s tax net.
He added that the 1.75% tax is also to enhance financial inclusion and protect the vulnerable in the country.
The E-Levy since its announcement by the Finance Minister has received public backlash from some Ghanaians especially Members of Parliament from the Minority Caucus.
At a recent press conference, the Minister outlined a number of modifications to the Bill and announced that the government continued to engage stakeholders on the bill ahead of resubmission to Parliament.
But speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, Mr. Asiedu Nketia has government to render account of monies collected from previous taxes, loans and bonds before going to Ghanaians about the E-levy.
"The Auditor General's report has made us to understand that there is over 6 Billion Ghana cedis with institutions and individuals that government can go for and use it for developmental projects and the others that the E-levy seek to do. You can't waste money willfully and come back to tax the already suffering Ghanaian through E- Levy," he added.
Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia also cautioned the government about its continuous use of the luxurious private jet.
He explained that President Akufo-Addo's selfish desire and quest to fly luxuriously is also causing a drain on the already suffering public purse.
"The amount of money this government is spending on this luxurious travels can be channeled to other areas of the economy. But how do you expect to generate income when you are lavishly consuming the little left.
"I think this government does not have a clear mind and immediate solution for the mess they find themselves in, however, our position on the E-levy remains the same, we stand by Ghanaians and will continuously oppose this draconian tax," he said.
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IMF Isn't An Option- Ken Ofori-Atta
Meanwhile, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has ruled out suggestions that Ghana should consider going International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bail out
He says Ghana returning to an IMF-regulated programme, won't augur well for the country.
The government of Ghana is seeking to pass the controversial Electronic Transaction Levy Bill, E-levy as Parliament has resumed for the second session of the 8th Parliament.
Ken Ofori-Atta, at the government’s town-hall meeting to discuss the E-levy on Thursday, 27 January 2022, said, the passage of the E-levy will save the country from falling back on the IMF for financial assistance, which, he said, would be disastrous.
Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected]
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If NDC MPs fight again in parliament, police must arrest those fighting instantly. It is a workplace and workplace must not be allowed to become a fighting arena. People who fight there must be removed immediately. Anyone witnessing a fight can call police. If we have people who are not honourable in parliament then laws applicable to all Ghanaians must be applied
no wonder such an ev1l incarnate is leading ev1l group called ndc, the main problem of this country is ndc, they are ok with the telcos milking us and repatriating those moneys to their home country without Ghanaians asking them how those moneys are used. But your own government you ev1l ndc is opposing it because you think it will make you remain in opposition, enkwasifour ne agyimifour party
I hardly apprehend the position of those opposing the E-Levy bill and acting as if Ghana is burning especially the NDC where they even resort to fiscal exchanges of fists in parliament as if we are in a jungle. The behaviour of NDC to me leaves much to be desired in the since that it is the government in waiting so if the ruling government is embarking on an unpopular policy it is to your advantage so why should you fight over this? if they do not have any parochial interest why these 'uncivilized' approach? What is the NDC afraid of in the introduction of this tax if not for a fact that it will help the Ruling Government in fulfilling its developmental agenda which will help it to break the '08' agenda? We all understand that the only few are paying taxes in Ghana where we always talk about the need to widen the tax network and here we are trying to do so and a Government in waiting says no and fighting with their last blood to reject it. What I can say is rather fight to get the percentage reduced to maybe 0.5% or 1% and not to be a stumbling block to Ghana's development. Long Live Ghana
The NDC should know that it is their right to vote against the E-levy but they can’t prevent it. They should exercise their right and let others do theirs in peace. What have they really seen that they want to do anything to stop the E-levy? I doubt it’s because of the love for the country. They only want the government not to get money for its activities so that they will go to IMF like what Mahama did in order to get a campaign message. Everything the NDC does has an evil intention.
WHEN DID NDC BECAME MANAGERS OF THE ECONOMY IF THE GAVE GHANA AND GHANAIANS TO IMF TO MANAGE IT. SIGNED TAKE OR PAY POWER SECTOR AGREEMENTS, DOUBLE SALARY TAKERS, BUS BRANDING LOOTERS, WAYOMY LOOTERS, SOLD OLD 120 RAIL CARS FOR SCRAP WHICH COULD BEEN REPAIRE BY SWAME MAGAZANE FOR $50,000 DOLLARS. BRANDNEW OF THESE RAIL CARS COST 500,000 DOLLARS WHICH NPP CURRENTLY HAS FIXED 10 RAIL CARS BY SWAME MAGAZANE FOR 50,000 DOLLARS SUCH A DISPICABLE ART OF LOOT AND WASTE BY NDC ***barred word*** LOOSERS ECONOMIC MISMANAGEMT 1. In Ontario, Canada. There's a provincial tax called (Hamonous) and it's 13% that is added to everything you buy from the shop. Suppose you see a pair of shoes that is priced at $100, you'd pay additional 13% on it so you'd end up paying for $113 at the cashier. Ghanaians complain too much but expect so much... Even if you go to the bank and exchange money from Canadian dollars to the US dollars, you'd be taxed 7% SO 1.75% IS A DROP IN THE OCEAN AND TELL GHANAIANS NOT TO THING OF COMING TO NORTH AMERICA BECAUSE TAXES IS WHAT MAKE THIS COUNTRY WORKED USA AND CANADA DO NOT BORROW TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR CITIZENS BUT RATHER THE CITIZENS PAY FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT NO FREE LUNCH ANY WHERE IN THE WORLD LAZY GHANAIANS THE FREE DAYS ARE OVER LOOSERS.
You sold blocks on high prices when bui dam was constructed. All dubious and corrupt practices passes through you and your cohorts during your regime and yet you have the gut to speak as if you people love this country than any other person. We refer these characters as humans were they think like animals without future.
The good people of Ghana are confidently aware that their President, Akufo-Addo, is not corrupt and that they can sleep soundly at night without making any fuss about that, unlike during the era of the NDC Mahama-administration. That notwithstanding, I think it's absolutely important to note that the Ghanaians do appreciate it wholeheartedly. The despirate attempt being made by tarnishing his image by associating his travels with a luxurious travel jet is just as mischievous as any imagination of the NDC's numerous baseless propaganda. Any intellectual who is totally against the e-levy is either being dishonest or being paid by ***barred word*** to be against the e-levy. And such intellectuals lack modernity and innovation of their generation..
To foreign donor countries. Please don't give foreign aid from taxes collected from your citizens to Ghana,, if Ghanaians are opposing taxes.
Ev!l man and his wicked NDC people. We will pass the e levy no matter what you ev!l NDC guys do
I have followed the argument from the minority in parliament since the current administration decided to introduce the e-levy. The minority stand on this has generate many unanswered questions from well meaning Ghanaians. I strongly hold the path of our politicians. If the NDC states that the introduction will burden the ordinary Ghanaian hence the hardship will be on us ie everyone, it will be their advantage for most affected voters to vote against the rulling party, given them the opportunity to be voted in power. From what we are seeing and the strong opposition of this, i bet to differ, they are indeed the most insensitive political party who has no future the this country. I also believe that, if the levy is introduced and it will bring positive outcome then it must be accepted since both these political parties has our dear country Ghana at heart. I also thinks that, they are not smart enough to think outside the box for income generations through this levy for the development in the country.