The opposition National Democratic Congress has lauded its one hundred and thirty-six members of Parliament who voted against the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party administration.
In a statement issued on Friday, December 8 2023, the National Communications Officer of the party, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi stated that the decision by the Minority Caucus in Parliament to unanimously vote against the 2024 budget demonstrate its patriotism and commitment to the well-being of the people of Ghana.
Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi further commended the members of the Minority Caucus in Parliament for equally exposing that the 2024 Budget of President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party administration does not have the interest of the ordinary citizens of the country through it debate on the floor of Parliament.
“Parliament yesterday voted on the motion to approve the principles of the 2024 Budget Statement. This was after the NPP Majority side had initially fled from their budget approval when the motion was first tabled for a vote by the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Alban Sumana Bagbin. At the end of yesterday’s headcount, the budget was passed by a decision of 138 to 136 in favour of the NPP Majority side of the House.
Sammy Gyamfi Esq.
NDC Chastises Government Over Imposition Of Additional Taxes
Moreover, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress chastised President Akufo-Addo for imposing several taxes on Ghanaians through the 2024 Budget.
He further accused President Akufo-Addo and Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of failing to fulfil its promise of moving the country from taxation into production.
Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi, thus admonished all Ghanaians to prepare for extreme economic hardship due to the lack of compassion on the part of President Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s administration which was heavily supported by the New Patriotic Party one hundred thirty-eight Members of Parliament to approve the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government
According to Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi, the imposition of the various taxes by the New Patriotic Party administration under President Akufo-Addo would further worsen the plight of majority of Ghanaians.
“These include the imposition of VAT on a range of items such as textbooks, exercise books and stationery, non-life insurance, domestic travels, domestic transportation of passengers by road, rail and water as well as an increase in tax stamp duty, among others. The Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government is further introducing an excise duty of GHS100 per annum on all petrol and diesel vehicles. This regressive tax will apply to all categories of vehicles regardless of whether one drives a V8 engine, articulator, taxi or an Uber. Industries are equally not sparred as excise duty of GHS100 per tonne of carbon dioxide emission is being imposed on them”.
Sammy Gyamfi Esq.
However, Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi urged Ghanaians to remain hopeful in the midst of adversity as the National Democratic Congress and Former President John Dramani Mahama when elected in 2024 shall pursue strategic measures to revive the country’s economy and restore it to the path of growth and prosperity to benefit all Ghanaians.
“This 2024 ‘Bye Bye’ budget signals the end of the road for the failed Akufo-Addo/Bawumia NPP government which has completely lost touch with the reality of Ghanaians”.
Sammy Gyamfi Esq.
The 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of President Akufo-Addo and the New Patriotic Party’s administration was approved by Parliament on Thursday, December 7 2023 by a majority decision of 138 Ayes against 136 Noes after a headcount by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Honorable Alban Bagbin.
READ ALSO: NDC Demands Justice For Eight Ghanaians Killed During 2020 General Elections
