Executive Director for African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), Dr Rasheed Draman, has expressed optimism that issues inherent in the controversial e-levy which has been a subject of contention among both minority and majority side in parliament will be addressed.
According to him, Ghanaians were hoping that in all their negotiations and discussions which took place in the past, the duo would have made some movement towards the middle in terms of the NDC “softening its position” and accepting some percentage of the levy. Dr Draman explained that sticking to a percentage aside the one put forward by the majority is “better than zero”, urging the NPP to do same by reducing their initial percentage of 1.75.
“It looks as if up to this point both sides have dug in and they are all sticking to their position. What I see happening is quite simple. Both sides know the implications of this particular policy. The NDC is driving on the back of many Ghanaians are opposed to this… They argue that this is going to add a lot of pain to the already suffering masses… The NPP says we need revenue in order to alleviate the plight of our people… If we get the Honourable Speaker seated, the NPP side will have 138 and the NDC will have 137; the e-levy will pass. I think we will put the matter to rest. I’m just looking at the worst case scenario where both sides refuse to move from their current position”.
Dr Rasheed Draman
Commenting on the performance of the 8th parliament, Dr Draman underscored that the proceedings of the House were largely marred by misunderstandings on activities which casts a long shadow on the reputation of parliament. He explained that in their last meeting, they were not able to do much in terms of passing bills as they were busy “haggling and fighting” over e-levy.
“On a scale of one to ten, I think I will give them about four out of ten. Mainly because there’s been some very ugly scenes in parliament which really, I think constitutes very serious dirt in our profile as a country that prides itself. With all the things that are happening, the two sides [are] not seeing eye to eye and then a lot of the business of the House”.
Dr Rasheed Draman
Majority hints on revision of e-levy
Dr Draman called on both sides of parliament to reach a compromise to engender good relationship. He advised the minority NDC to reconsider its position on the total scrapping of the e-levy and reminded the majority NPP to be flexible in its approach by giving room for reduction in percentage of the proposed e-levy.
“We heard yesterday the Majority Chief Whip, Honourable Annoh-Dompreh, saying there could be some revisions and so on. I’m not too sure by how much and whether that will be acceptable. That would have been a win-win scenario, where at least both sides will say now we have a situation where there’s been some concessions and so we can accept this”.
Dr Rasheed Draman
According to Mr Annoh-Dompreh,, stakeholders have been extensively engaged and owing to that, the e-levy would be tabled in a form acceptable to all.
“I have a feeling that there might be one or two amendments, especially concerns about utility and probably the rates. I am sure there will be some amendments to it… I am not concluding though, but from intelligence I am picking, the kind of thinking the MPs are showing, I am very sure that there will be some change in form”.
Frank Annoh-Dompreh
READ ALSO: Let’s Not Politicize Security In Ghana- Wa West MP
