We cannot support a tax policy that will make Ghanaians poorer – Clement Apaak
Builsa South Member of Parliament, Dr Clement Apaak, has stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as a social democratic party, cannot support any tax policy that will further impoverish the people.
He claimed there are different ways the government can increase money in the 2022 budget statement without having to adopt the E-levy.
Speaking on TV3’s New Day program on the government’s proposed E-levy and its strong opposition from the NDC on Wednesday, January 26 2022, Dr. Apaak said “Our position is clear, right from the onset we have said we don’t believe it is justified. We think that if it comes into place it will lead to financial exclusion. We also believe that Ghanaians are already reeling under excruciating hardship and so to have tax that does not discriminate in favour of the poor in society, clearly can’t be supported by a party that believes and practices social democracy.
“We have demonstrated how government can make up for the budget without having to introduce a tax which essentially is going to take money not based on interest but based on capital,” he noted.
However, his colleague Member of Parliament for Nyiaeso, Dr Stephen Amoah has revealed that the E-levy proposal will be passed despite whatever the Minority will do against the proposal.
In an interview with TV3, he said that the opposition MPs are opposing the proposal because they recognize the benefits it will have on the local economy’s budgetary space.
“We will pass it. We will pass it at the right time.
“We are in government, if they claim it will make us unpopular why won’t they stop. They know this is going to transform and change the lives of Ghanaians.
“They know this is going to put out fiscal space in the right perspectives,” he said.
In the meantime, Parliament’s Majority Leader, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, has asked all Members of Parliament to make participation in the E-levy process a top priority.
On Tuesday, January 25, he reminded the House that more stakeholder consultations on the plan are ongoing, which is why the Business Committee was unable to schedule it during the first week of the second session’s initial sitting.
He stated that the Business Committee expects to schedule the proposal for discussion in the second week following the engagement.
Mr. Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu announced the absence of the bill on the order paper saying, “Mr Speaker, as Honourable members will recall the House was expected to conclude consideration and passing of the electronic transfer levy bill 2021 by the end of the third meeting for the first session.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, however, the House was unable to consider and pass the bill at the end of the meeting. It was therefore the contemplation of the Business Committee that the Bill will be scheduled for consideration by the House during the first week of the first meeting of the second session.
“However upon consultation with the sponsoring Minister the committee is not unable to programme same for this week after resumption.
The Honorable Minister of Finance has been undertaking further engagement with stakeholders and sections of the general public with respect to some concerns that have been raised on the bill.
“The committee, in all probability, will programme the bill for consideration in the second week of this meeting and honourable members are therefore encouraged to participate fully in the consideration and the process of the passage of the bill.”
Source: Richard Mensah Adonu | Join our Telegram Group
