Withdraw the budget and bring a new one – Justice for Ghana to government
After their back and forth with the Ghana Police Service the Justice for Ghana group had the opportunity to demonstrate and they used the opportunity to call for a whole new 2022 budget arguing that the one before Parliament now doesn’t address the needs of Ghanaians.
Upon reaching Parliament House, ten of the conveners were allowed to enter the premises to present their petition with Mr Bernard Mornah, former chairman of the Peoples National Convention leading the charge.
Mr Mornah as he presented the petition pointed out that the concessions raised by the legislature so far does not address the concerns of Ghanaians.
“Government is not listening to Ghanaians. What we want is for the 2022 budget to be withdrawn. We want what has been presented now to be replaced with one that centres on the dreams and aspirations of Ghanaians.”
“Ghanaians have had enough hardship. We don’t want any more taxes. We want 0% MoMo tax, immediate reduction in fuel prices, immediate removal of nuisance taxes on fuel prices among others.”
Initially, there was a misunderstanding between the group and the Police over an order granted by a High Court in Accra instructing the demonstrators to use a route the Police has proposed and also not to picket at Parliament after presenting the petition as planned.
But the conveners did not agree with the Police as they insisted that the Police has exhibited bad faith with this move and indicated that, they will not regard a restraining order on their picketing.
They intend to pitch camp at Ghana’s legislature till the budget is drawn.
Their protest was to put pressure on the government to withdraw the 2022 budget which they insist does not address the concerns of Ghanaians.
Though there were some modifications made in the budget due to some demands made by the Minority Caucus, issues regarding the E-levy were not fully addressed.
By: Stella Annan | myactiveonline.com Twitter @activetvgh
