The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Youth Wing has called on government to refrain from the imposition of 10% tax on bet wins.
According to the youth wing, the youth in Ghana are resolute in declaring series of protest to resist “this burdensome and insensitive” policy by government. It further revealed that the unity within the youth wing is unwavering and the determination to protect the funds young people secure through betting, unyielding.
Contained in a statement dated August 16, 2023, signed by George Opare Addo, NDC National Youth Organizer, the group vowed to resort to protests to demand the repeal of the tax.
“Through protests, advocacy and civic engagements, we will ensure our voices are heard and demand that this corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia rescinds its decision.”
NDC Youth Wing
Among other things, the group noted that young people shall not be burdened to compensate for monies stolen and stashed by appointees of the NPP government and saved in their homes and bank accounts. Also, it stated that the youth will not pay for the massive corruption happening at the Bank of Ghana under the watch of its Governor, Dr Ernest Addison.
Furthermore, the NDC Youth Wing highlighted that the tax equally compensates for issues unrelated to the betting industry such as criticisms of the Akufo-Addo government’s failed vision, “lies” by Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, which is seen now to be a public ridicule among the youth, and accusations of arrogance among government appointees who have allegedly misappropriated public funds.
In response to these grievances, the NDC Youth Wing outlined series of intended actions, which includes organizing protests at the Ministry of Finance and government offices nationwide and initiating widespread lawful agitations to draw attention to its resistance.
Additionally, the group vowed to “instigate” young people to confront government officials and demand an end to what it perceives as corruption and insensitivity and plan the occupation of Parliament and other government agencies.
To this end, the NDC Youth Wing urged fellow young citizens to unite in the struggle against the 10% betting tax and noted that further guidance will be communicated through the party’s constituency youth wing departments across the nation on the modalities in undertaking these actions.
“Interested parties are encouraged to engage with the movement and contact the designated officers for coordination.”
NDC Youth Wing
NDC to scrap betting tax in next administration
Meanwhile, member of parliament for Jirapa constituency, Cletus Seidu Dapilah, has described government as “hypocritical” by resorting to taxing bet winnings undertaken by young people. He stated that the tax on betting only legitimizes the act.
Mr Dapilah contended that the youth do not have any means of surviving due to the unemployment rate in the country.
“We haven’t been able to give them good jobs. If you go to the betting centers and you see the caliber of people who are into it – these are graduates, some have masters and have come out for years and are sending applications and cannot get a job and want to get into betting to survive. So, it is not something that we should want to tax, as much as 10%. The youth of this country, I can assure them that the NDC party is saying that the next NDC government, we are going to scrap the 10% tax on betting and lottery.”
Cletus Seidu Dapilah
Mr Dapilah noted that the youth must survive if the government of the day cannot provide them jobs and they find themselves in betting to make ends meet. He underscored that it is not at this crucial moment that government should be imposing such taxes on them.
“In any case, when they collect the taxes, how are those taxes beneficial to the youth when they have no jobs? So, that is why we are saying that the next NDC government, we are going to scrap the 10% on this betting and lottery.”
Cletus Seidu Dapilah
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