The E-Levy proposed by the Nana Dee government in the 2022 Budget Statement continues to dominate discussions on the airwaves. As expected, those under the eagle-headed Umbrella took advantage of the situation to demonstrate against the introduction of the electronic tax.
The “Yentua Demo” saw General Ntontom and Chairman ‘Diabolics’ subtly trying to outdo each other, serving as a foretaste of what to come in the impending Zu-za chairmanship contest. ‘3b3 y3 pinsoo’, apologies to the Late Dan Lartey.
I felt a sense of déjà vu when I saw Mr. ‘DJ Bomi Nyom’ and Mr ‘Loose Talker Akamba’ demonstrating against the introduction of the tax. I struggled to shake off the feeling of having seen such a spectacle before.
Just like the famous Greek philosopher, Archimedes, I shouted ‘eureka’ when I finally remembered the answer. The unprincipled politicians, under the eagle-headed Umbrella, were the same folks who opposed and vehemently demonstrated against the introduction of the talk-time tax by the Kufuor government around 2008. They said it was a repressive tax and promised to abolish it if they won power.
My compatriots swallowed their lies hook, line and sinker and voted them into power. Being kings of deception and mendacity, not only did they maintain the tax, but also increased the percentage.
Their lies and deception did not end there. Page 45 of their 2008 manifesto, under Fiscal Policy stated, “As a party of modern Social Democrats, the NDC believes in funding development and the provision of essential services through efficient, effective and equitable taxation of all citizens based on the principle of affordability. The new NDC government will not introduce any new taxes.”
Abusuapanin, did they not introduce many new taxes when they hoodwinked me and my compatriots to vote them back into power in 2008? They introduced 17.5% VAT on Financial Services. We also saw the introduction of 15% Petroleum Tax and 5% Rural Electrification Levy. They introduced many more taxes including Condom, aka ‘koti sox’, Tax.
So do not be deceived when you hear the likes of General Ntontom screaming their lungs out that should the E-Levy be passed, they would abolish it if Zu-za should return to the presidential seat. It is a political trick we’ve seen before. General Ntontom and his ilk are only replaying the lies, deception and melodrama that defined Zu-za’s 2008 electioneering campaign.
Clement Apaak, a so-called neutral-turned-politician, has revealed the true intentions of his party on the subject. When asked if his party will withdraw the levy when voted into office should it be passed, Clement Apaak suddenly developed the traits of a stammerer. He literally implied that the question was a conjecture and he wasn’t ready to engage in same. Nobody ‘taa no do’, running away!
Apaak’s position loudly captures Zu-za’s true intentions. They will never abolish the electronic tax if they win power in 2024. The noise and vehement opposition to the introduction of the levy is as a result of what the proceeds will do for the country and its adverse impact on their political fortunes in the 2024 polls.
It’s the reason I’m appalled at the Great Elephant’s lack of effective communication strategy to neutralise Zu-za’s propaganda. Kwame Baffoe Abronye is the only dude who is so far doing a great job at neutralising Zu-za’s propaganda on the topic. If only all communicators riding on the Elephant would take a leaf from his book!
See you next week for another interesting konkonsa, Deo volente!