A Political Strategist and Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, Stan Xoese Dogbe has expressed doubt over a report suggesting that the government is withdrawing the 15 per cent value-added tax on electricity consumption in Ghana.
The Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama in an article asserted that the report is a deliberate attempt by the government to disrupt the Trade Union Congress planned nationwide demonstration which is scheduled on February 13 2024.
According to Mr Dogbe, the report if even true could also be a possible and deliberate attempt by the New Patriotic Party administration led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration to avert public unrest rather than a genuine concern for citizens’ welfare.
“The announcement by the pro-government media outlet, Asaase Radio, that the tax on electricity will be withdrawn should leave many Ghanaians like me sceptical about the government’s sincerity. The decision to reverse the previously approved policy of charging 15% value-added tax (VAT) on electricity comes just days before the Trades Union Congress (TUC) planned demonstration on February 13”.
Stan Xoese Dogbe
Mr Dogbe further expressed concerns about what he described as a deliberate attempt by some members of the ruling party as well as the public to distance the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who chairs the economic management team, from the government decision to impose the value-added tax on electricity consumption.
He vehemently argued that the attempt to distance the Vice President and the New Patriotic Party flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia from the tax policy introduced by the New Patriotic Party administration only adds to the perceived lack of transparency and accountability in the government’s decision-making processes.
Stan Dogbe Criticises Government’s Approach To Address Revenue Shortfalls
Moreover, the Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, Stan Xoese Dogbe criticized the decision by the government to engage the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address the revenue shortfall resulting from dropping the value-added tax on electricity.
Mr Dogbe further argued that such a move shows poor economic management on the part of the government as it lacks a comprehensive plan to offset the revenue loss through additional spending cuts.
Mr Dogbe also contended that the current government’s history of questionable decisions, such as imposing a 1% COVID-19 tax after initially offering free water and electricity during the pandemic, has contributed to the erosion of public trust.
“It should be clear to the average Ghanaian that the government’s decision to drop the VAT on electricity, if indeed true, is not driven by a genuine concern for the welfare of citizens but rather a strategic move to avoid public backlash and potential unrest.
“We can all recall how the government offered Ghanaians free water and electricity during COVID-19, only to turn around and impose a 1% COVID tax on the already overburdened Ghanaians, which, as the NDC flag bearer John Mahama noted, we are still paying many years later”.
Stan Xoese Dogbe
Mr Dogbe emphasized the need for President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to take concrete and sincere steps to address the concerns of Ghanaians and ensure transparency in its policy implementation, and be accountable as well.
According to the Political Strategist, the lack of transparency and accountability in decision-making processes, coupled with what he considered an attempt to shift blame, is what has contributed to the erosion of public trust in the government’s ability to manage the economy effectively among huge section of the public.
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