News:
March 30, 2022
The Ranking Member on the Finance Committee, Dr. Cassel Ato Forson has described the Electronic Transaction Bill 21 as “Akobam”, a well-known local herbal ointment that has the potency of dealing with all ailments.
Speaking on the floor of the House on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 when the Bill was read for second time, the Ranking member said listening to the defence of government spokespersons on the E-Levy, he said it has been projected as the panacea to all our economic woes.
Mr. Speaker, today we’ve been told that this tax can cure most of the sicknesses of this Ghanaian economy, Mr. Speaker to the extent that this tax is more powerful than most of the herbal medicines that we’ve seen. Mr. Speaker, we have told that this tax can even cure my colleague Honourable Okudzeto Ablakwa’s bald head, Mr. Speaker, this is a dangerous tax, Mr. Speaker, when this tax passes probably my bald head would be cured.
“That we in the NDC are not against taxation, Mr. Speaker we are against this particular tax, we are against this particular tax for a technical reason, and we believe that posterity would vindicate us.”
Mr Speaker it nothing but technical reasons, Mr. Speaker it not personal neither it is a sabotage against the economy Mr Speaker; rather we are pointing the government in the right direction.
He argued that though they have often supported tax policies; tax policies that are progressive, they do not believe that a tax policy must be designed in such a way that will target the poor persons.
He said the economic problems of the country has become endemic and believes that this singular policy (E-Levy) cannot cure the sickness; and urged the minister to come with a comprehensive package in restoring economic stability and not to concentrate as if e-levy is the panacea to our economic problems.
Dominic Shirimori/Ghanamps.com