The Founder of the All Peoples Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga, has appealed to the government to roll out a policy for street hawkers who have been affected by government’s decision to abolish road tolls since that was their place of getting a source of livelihood.
According to Mr. Ayariga, the decision to abolish road toll payments in the country, although laudable, needs some consideration with regards to the effect on the welfare of the hawkers who were trading around the various booths.
Commenting on the 2022 budget presented by the finance minister, Mr. Ayariga intimated that abolishing the road toll is a good idea because taking tolls on dilapidated roads was a reap off. He further noted that it was citizens taxes that were used to build those roads and paying roads tolls on them again was wrong.
“When the finance minister announced the government’s intention to scrap off toll booth fees, many people started talking about the issue of hawkers and the others. I am appealing to government to roll out a policy for street hawkers”.
Hassan Ayariga
Touching on the YouStat initiative introduced by the government to assist the youth in creating jobs for themselves,;he indicated that the initiative is good as it will empower the youth of this country;but called for measures to be put in place to ensure it does not increase the debt Stock. Mr Ayariga noted that one of the policies of the APC is to ‘Create Graduate Financing Fund to support graduates to help start their own business and create jobs. He then advised the government to look up to the APC;to help roll out that policy very well since they have decided to establish it.
E-levy, double taxation
Commenting on the 1.75% E-levy on mobile money transaction, Mr. Ayariga averred that some sections of Ghanaians are worried. He disclosed that they have the right to worry because they pay when sending money and also pay when receiving money. Mr Ayariga then called on government to sit with the Telecos to agree on one way payment because;“Ghanaians cannot pay 1.75% when sending and again pay another 1.75% when receiving” the same money. He described it as double taxation on the same transaction.
“I believe we have gotten to the crossroad where borrowing is not an option anymore but taxation is the best option for us now. We need to widen our tax network and institute proper channels to collect tax properly. We cannot continue to borrow, we have to move from borrowing to production, manufacturing and taxation. Nations are better off when its citizens decide to contribute towards its development”.
Hassan Ayariga
Mr. Ayariga speaking on abandoned projects in the country noted that despite the borrowings,;old projects which include schools and hospitals which were initiated by previous governments are at a standstill. As a result, he called on government as a matter of urgency to complete all abandoned projects.
“Weeds, rodents and pests have taken control of these projects at various villages and communities across the country. Meanwhile, students are still sitting under trees who need a decent classroom to learn. I want the government to know that governance is a continuous business”.
Hassan Ayariga
