The Minority Leader of Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has accused the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of copying the taxation policy of flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama.
Mr Mahama had previously announced his intention to abolish the Electronic Transactions Levy, popularly known as the E-Levy, emissions levy and others due to its burden on Ghanaians.
However, during Dr Bawumia’s address to the nation on February 7, 2024, he also made known his commitment to remove the levy as part of efforts to make Ghana a cashless society and others including the emissions levy and the VAT on electricity.
But, in an interview with Joy News, Dr Forson said Dr Bawumia has the powers as the Vice President to scrap any tax not only as the Chairman of the Economic Management Team but as a member of the Cabinet.
“The NDC currently opposes all these taxes he has talked about. We have opposed it here in parliament and opposed it in public.
“Our flagbearer, John Mahama has made a public pronouncement that when given the power will remove it. He’s (Dr Bawumia) only copying him. I want to urge the people of Ghana, the only reason these taxes are still effective is because the NDC is not in office.”
“And let me add this when these bills were first presented to this house, he (Dr Bawumia) was sitting here. He came to parliament with the minister responsible for finance to impose the E-Levy. He cannot turn around and tell all of us that he is not part of it.
“The General Secretary of the NPP left the cabinet and informed the people of Ghana that the Vice President approved and voted for the e-levy.”
According to the Minority Leader, it is “disgraceful and shameful” for the vice president to introduce a bill to parliament, rally for unanimous support, and later advocate for the removal of the tax.
He emphasised that this behaviour undermines the credibility of Dr Bawumia.
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