Parliament set to debate 2022 budget
In accordance with the 1992 constitution, the Finance Minister has presented the 2022 Economic Policy and Budget statement to Parliament.
One controversial issue the 2022 budget statement brought up that has generated a lot of conversation is the government’s intention to accrue revenue through the imposition of a 1.75 per cent levy on all electronic transactions.
Government services have also been increased by 15% which will take effect from next year once the budget is approved by Parliament.
The government’s intention to encourage entrepreneurship among the youth has brought up the Ghs1 billion “youstart” initiative to create more opportunities for the youth.
Majority Caucus in Parliament is touting the budget presented to the legislature house as one that seeks to solve the needs of Ghanaians which will lead to the growth of the economy but the Minority on the other hand sees the budget as insensitive which will add more burden to the already suffering Ghanaian.
Leader of the Minority caucus, Haruna Iddrisu, has also reiterated that the caucus will kick against the 1.75% E-levy.
According to him, the tax is a disincentive to investments and private sector development.
“Our concern is whether the E-levy itself will not be a disincentive to the growth of a digital economy in our country. We are convinced that the e-levy may as well even be a disincentive to investments and private sector development in our country… We in the Minority will not support [the] government with the introduction of that e-levy. We are unable to build [a] national consensus on that particular matter,” he said at the post-budget workshop in Ho on Saturday.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
