Former president John Mahama has taken a swipe at Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia over the passage of three revenue bills.
Mr. Mahama was wondering how a government that promised to move the country from taxation to production would introduce new taxes amidst the current economic challenges facing Ghana.
He referenced a video in which the Vice President had promised that this current administration would not burden Ghanaians with taxes.
“Government is estimated to save almost GHC50 billion this year from the suspension of external debt service payments and the Domestic Debt Exchange.
“This windfall and a reduction of government expenditure could have been used to reduce the tax burden being imposed on Ghanaian businesses and individuals now,” Mahama wrote on Facebook.
“In fact, it would have brought some tax relief to Ghanaian industry and business instead of the three new taxes from which government expects to raise only GHC4 billion. What happened to the zeal behind this video? Easier said than done?” Mahama asked.
Parliament on Friday, March 31, 2023, passed the Excise Duty Amendment Bill 2022, the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill, 2022, the Ghana Revenue Authority Bill 2022 and the Income Tax Amendment Bill 2022.2 days ago
The government’s financial bills presented to Parliament aim to raise approximately 4 billion Ghana Cedis annually as part of domestic revenue mobilisation.
The bills are also critical in assisting the government’s efforts to gain Board approval for the $3 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) Programme staff-level agreement.