NPP Communications Director, Yaw Buaben Asamoa
The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yaw Buaben Asamoa, has described the manner with which the Akufo-Addo government handles tax measures as “highly professional”.
That, he indicated, is worthy of recognition because, unlike in the past, “militias and security agencies are not dispatched to shoot and kill citizens” who disagree with tax measures.
In a press statement to remember lessons of the “Kumepreko” demonstration of May 11, 1995, he said in the context of internal taxation challenges over the years, it is important to congratulate the government for its bold and honest governance posture, persistently engaging the people on what is best for the future and delivering on same.
“It is important to recognise the high level of professionalism with which the Akufo Addo administration and its security and collection agencies have handled tax matters,” he said in a statement.
“Kumepreko”
The NPP Communications Director recalled how the “Kumepreko” demonstration against the new Value Added Tax (VAT), introduced by the then NDC Government at 17.5%, resulted in the death of innocent Ghanaians.
“On that day, eight people, unarmed citizens demonstrating peacefully, were gunned down in broad day sunshine by members of the ruling NDC, specifically, the ACDR (Association of Committees for the Defence of the Revolution) a wing of the then ruling party. Even though evidence pointed to specific individuals, no one was eventually punished for those brutal murders.
“The tax was temporarily withdrawn to be reintroduced at 10%. But did eight Ghanaian citizens have to be executed in the streets of Accra just for holding a different point of view? Commemorated for the infamy of unfettered violence and murder committed by the NDC Government, the event takes on new significance with the advent of the E-Levy,” he added.
Sustainable revenue
He further indicated that as the value of state commercial tradables have declined, so has the state’s ability to fund development.
“We do not have sufficient hospital beds, enough schools, adequate roads, fair housing, widespread portable water, or reliable energy. Mostly because just like the British Government, we are hesitant about the rather sensitive matter of taxing ourselves sufficiently to meet the cost of our basic development needs,” he said
He emphasised that without adequate sustainable revenues, no government can meet national voter expectations of the development gap.
“As government needs have grown, so has revenue shrunk and expectations risen. So, the Nana Addo led New Patriotic Party Government has embarked on vigorous internal processes to beat the Poll Tax jinx. Happy, indeed, is the news that MoMo operators are now backing the E-Levy, a universal, gentle tax with potential to raise significant amounts of development funding,” he noted.
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