The Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande, has reiterated the NDC’s stance that the Finance Minister lied to Ghanaians in the fiscal policy review presented on the floor of parliament yesterday, July 24, 2024.
Gbande noted that the Finance Minister was untruthful about the number of automobile companies in the country, pointing out that, contrary to the Minister’s assertion, the country has fewer than thirteen automobile companies.
He further pointed out that the Minister failed to provide the names of the alleged thirteen automobile companies operating in the country.
Additionally, the NDC stalwart accused the Minister of falsehoods regarding the government’s completion of several dams in the country.
“We’ve been having this conversation and this debate that there isn’t any dam constructed by this government. Clearly, the money they’ve taken for the purposes of the dam was spent, squandered, and shared among party [people]”.
“The Minister then said that they have paid a certain number of people on LEAP. We are daring the Minister to publish the names of the beneficiaries of LEAP. To my record, no deprived families have received LEAP support from this government”.
Mustapha Gbande
He expressed his astonishment that, despite the country’s struggles with economic hardship, scandals, and corruption, the current Finance Minister is following in the footsteps of his predecessor, perpetuating a pattern of dishonesty and deceit.
He questioned when the current NPP government would end its practice of dishonesty and start telling the truth to Ghanaians.
Gbande observed that the government’s touted achievements in building multiple factories have not translated into a reduction in unemployment, which remains on the rise.
“And the approach to unemployment by this government is to recruit post-service personnel into service engagement”. – Mustapha Gbande
He emphasized that the public must demand greater accountability and transparency from the government.
He warned the Finance Minister not to go down with the sinking ship, suggesting that the NPP government’s fate is sealed due to its leader’s ineptitude.
Government Urged To Drop Double Taxation
Meanwhile, Cuts International, a consumer rights organization, appealed to the government to spare Ghanaians the double burden of paying both road tolls and the Electronic Transfer Levy (e-levy) at the same time.
During the mid-year budget presentation, the government announced its intention to reintroduce road and bridge tolls in 2025, in addition to the existing E-levy, which is meant to help fund road improvements.
He raised concerns about whether the collected funds would be utilized as promised and emphasized the extra financial strain this would impose on Ghanaians, adding to their existing tax burden.
“By putting the E-Levy at the same time with the road toll I think there will be a lot of taxes on Ghanaians. Of course, we do understand the crisis we find ourselves in as a nation. We are currently in an IMF emergency room where we need all the oxygen of taxes to resuscitate the economy.
“But the question I also want to ask ourselves is that the revenue that is going to accrue from the new road tolls is going to find its way in fixing and maintaining roads that will be good enough. But I am a bit doubtful because already when you buy fuel I think about 0.5p of liter that you buy at the pump goes to the road fund and that road fund is not being used to fix the potholes and gullies that are on our roads.”
Appiah Kusi Adomako
Mr. Adomako suggested that the government is exploring every avenue to raise revenue, but emphasized that it’s crucial to ensure that the collected funds are effectively utilized to address the intended purposes, making the efforts worthwhile.
He cautioned, however, that the government should not resort to ingenious or deceptive methods to extract money from Ghanaians simply to address its financial needs or balance its books.
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