E-Levy is a nationalistic policy – Buaben Asamoa

The Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Yaw Buaben Asamoa, has said the government’s proposed Electronic Transactions Levy (E-Levy) is a nationalistic policy that will enable the country achieve the desired national development across all sectors of the economy.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily Statesman over the weekend, he refuted claims by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the E-levy is a bad policy which will worsen the current state of the economy.

He explained that the E-levy is a well thought-through budget proposal to meet the huge demands of development and catapult the country into greater heights.

Opposing without principles

He stated that, for the NDC to oppose the e-levy successfully, they need to back their claims with principles.

“They don’t have any basic principle that holds water in opposing the e-levy. Obviously, one assumes that opposition political party will have positions opposing that of the ruling government. But then there are many policies that are nationalistic, and the E-levy is no exception.

“So, to be able to oppose it successfully, you have to have some principles. The NDC have been exposed, especially through the last letter of their General Secretary. The E-levy will not make the government unpopular,” he stressed.

The NPP Director of Communications noted that the NDC see the E-levy as a policy that will be politically against their future interest in seeking to rule the country again.

He said that is the reason the why the NDC will rather sabotage it, and take the country to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

“What they said after the deliberations in the letter that their General Secretary had written to their MPs threatening them to oppose the levy tells it all. Their whole idea is to force the country to go to the IMF, and that in doing that, they’ll then implant in the minds of Ghanaians that we live in a difficult country.

“Now, that is a classic case of digging a hole in a well, punching a hole in the pot that we use to fetch water, and when the water drains away, and the NDC succeed to do it, how are they going to run the country? NDC do not care what happens to the country, as long as they’re in power and can collect their double salaries,” he added.

Hungry for power

Mr Asamoa Buaben described the actions of the NDC as “desperate, diabolic, nation-wrecking”.

“They want power for what? If you are not looking for the people’s power to do something for the people, what exactly are you looking for power for? For self-aggrandizement, paying themselves double salaries among others. So where did we go?” he asked.

He said allowing the National Democratic Congress to come back to power would lead to the collapse of all social intervention policies initiated by the government.

“I don’t think that we should ever allow the NDC to deceive us with the kind of things they say. And they have exposed themselves; they just say that the country is hard without giving any reasons, force the country to go to IMF or refuse to approve the E-levy, knowing very well that it is a very important process that will yield dividends,” he noted.