Minority Leader, Cassiel Ato Forson, has accused the Majority Caucus of using the recall of Parliament to fast-track ‘tax giveaways’ to crony businesses.
He condemned the government’s tax exemption policies, arguing that the tax exemptions being proposed for the recall, totalling over $350 million, are not in the best interest of ordinary Ghanaians.
Speaking during the second recall of Parliament on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, Ato Forson warned that the Minority group would not support the draining of the country’s coffers.
“This recall has indeed been triggered by the NPP majority to fast-track and railroad tax giveaways to their crony businesses.”
“We will not support a giveaway of $350 million to crony businesses in a very opaque and nontransparent manner,” he said.
The Minority Leader maintained that instead of granting tax exemptions, the government should convert them into tax credits or equity shares as stipulated by the Tax Assumptions Act.
He emphasized that Ghana’s struggling economy cannot afford to lose such revenue at a time when many citizens are grappling with high living costs.
“Ghana’s economy is bleeding, the cost of living continues to rise, and Ghanaians simply cannot make ends meet. These are the bread-and-butter issues that should concern any serious government, not the giveaway of much-needed tax revenues,” he stressed.
Ato Forson urged Parliament to prioritize the needs of ordinary Ghanaians and focus on addressing the country’s economic and social crises, including unemployment, the deteriorating healthcare system, and environmental damage caused by illegal mining.
“Our decisions should be people-centred. It should be about the people of Ghana. Our country is in crisis, and we must reverse this with our decisions,” he stated.
