Members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Parliament have reportedly resolved to see the failure of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic policy of the government.
The NDC Minority Caucus has decided to see to a total rejection of the budget following a meeting held Wednesday November 22, 2021.
They have resolved not to support in approving the 2022 Budget because of the government proposed E-Levy.
The Minority has thus warned that it will vote against it during the passage of the 2022 budget statement.
“Our concern is whether the e-levy itself will not be a disincentive to the growth of a digital economy in our country. We are convinced that the e-levy may as well even be a disincentive to investments and private sector development in our country… We in the Minority will not support the government with the introduction of that e-levy. We are unable to build a national consensus on that particular matter,” according to them.
“Electronic transactions covering mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments and inward remittances will be charged at an applicable rate of 1.75% which shall be borne by the sender except for inward remittances, which will be borne by the recipient,” Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance said when presenting the 2022 Budget Statement in Parliament.
He explained that the government has decided to place a levy on all electronic transactions to widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector
Howvever, the announcement has been greeted with diverse reactions from the general public, especially opposition NDC members who fear the budget when approved would bring about total transformation to affect their political party chances of returning to power in 2024.
Already, the opposition National Democratic Congress is scheduled to organise a town hall meeting against the approval of the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy on Tuesday, November 30, 2021.
National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, made the announcement in a statement released on Friday, November 26, 2021.
The town hall meeting will be held at the Great Hall KNUST, Kumasi at 1pm.
“The National Democratic Congress (NDC) hereby announces that the party shall hold a Town-hall meeting on the 2022 ‘Awudie’ Budget Statement delivered to the august house of Parliament.”
The NDC says the forum will enable it to inform the public on the content of the budget and what it means for the ordinary Ghanaian and the party’s position on the policy document.
“This event is being organised under the auspices of the National Communications Bureau of the party, and is intended to inform the public about the content of the 2022 budget statement, what it means or holds for Ghanaians, and the position of the NDC on same.”
By Vincent Kubi