The Member of Parliament for Binduri in the Upper East Region who doubles as the Deputy Minister for Housing, Abdulai Abanga has said the displeasure shown by Ghanaians as the conversations around the E-levy continues is understandable. He said the disgruntled Ghanaians who have expressed their unwillingness to support the government in its attempt to tax digital transactions, is underpinned by the disinclination of the average person, anywhere around the world, to paying taxes.
The MP said, as human as he is, he also falls in the same bracket with people who, ordinarily would prefer not to pay taxes.
“Nobody is happy paying taxes, even me, I am not happy that I have to pay taxes but we have to contribute [towards national development]. We have to make up our minds, that look, the roads that we run on, the teachers that are being paid, the nurses that are being paid, the education, the Planting for Food and Jobs, the Free SHS, somebody must pay for it,” he said.
He cited the Bawku-Bolga road as an example. He said the construction of the road provides major convenience to the people in the region and encouraged residents to ask themselves “how do I help to pay for that road?”
“I do not think that the government does not mean well for Ghanaians. It means well for Ghanaians,” Mr. Abanga said.
On the same platform, Mr. Abanga justified the government’s insistence on the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-levy). He has also explained the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta’s shock about the fierce opposition that the E-levy has faced, particularly by young people including beneficiaries of the Free Senior High school Programme.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Daffiama-Bussie-Issa (DBI) in the Upper West Region, Dr. Sebastian Sandaare said it should be apparent to the government that Ghanaians are totally opposed to the idea of the E-levy. The Bill which will give room for the implementation of the E-levy is yet to be passed in Parliament.
Dr. Sandaare explained there are other ways the government could generate revenue without having to impose on Ghanaians E-LEVY.
A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith |Bolgatanga|Ghana
