News:
October 25, 2019
Minister for Communications, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has retorted to the ranking member on Finance Cassiel Ato Forson on issues relating to the Communications Service Tax (CST).
Member of Parliament for Ajumako Enyan Essiam Cassiel Ato Forson in a statement said the Minister was abusive in addressing issues relating to CST he talked about.
Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful told the Minority spokesperson on Finance not to instruct her on how to do her job.
After the directive to the telcos last week, Forson wrote to the Ministry requesting the withdrawal of the fiat which he described as illegal.
In a letter to Ato Forson, Owusu-Ekuful said the lawmaker was in no position to give her orders concerning her job.
Reacting to the minister’s response in a statement issued on Wednesday, 23 October 2019, Mr Ato Forson said: “It is important to note that even though the Electronic Communication Act gives the Minister of Communication the right to issue directives to the regulator in the management of the sector, it does not give the Minister of Communication the authority to issue written directives that are necessary for the administration and implementation of tax laws as stated in Section 1, subsection 1 and 2 of the Revenue Administration Act.
“I had hoped that we could engage in a decent discourse as public officers who occupy transient positions only at the pleasure of the people we are expected to serve with decorum and honour, but it wasn’t to be. Guided by Colossians 4:6: ‘Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man’, I refuse to join you in your brothel”.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com