Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, a ranking member of Parliament’s Finance Committee, has slammed the administration for promoting the E-levy as a panacea for the country’s economic woes.
In an interview with Joy FM in Accra, the Ajumako Enyan Esiam MP chastised government officials for the various things they claimed the E-levy could accomplish.
He insisted that Ghana’s problem was not one of tax collection, but rather one of expenditure.
He encouraged the government to curb discretionary spending, citing the president’s lavish private aircraft excursions.
The Minority, according to Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has worked with the administration to approve all tax initiatives except the controversial E-levy.
He asked the government to be open and honest about the country’s problems.
“There are two sides to the budget. Expenditure and revenue are two different things. In addition, the government must be responsible enough to reduce some discretionary spending.
“Assuming the private jet is still flying during the same time period as us…
Expenditures are continuously being made…
Discretionary expenditures are still ongoing, so why don’t we reduce them while focusing on a certain tax policy?
“There is a point at which this economy can no longer rely on taxes to thrive. Allow me to state the obvious. Except for the E-levy, we in the minority have worked with the administration to approve all tax policies in the budget.
“We’ve stated that the E-levy is the only one with which we disagree. However, we have worked with them to approve any other tax or government policy.
“As a result, they should refrain from blackmailing us with the E-levy. This, in my opinion, is governmental blackmail, and it should be stopped. Come out and tell us if there’s a problem so we can all help you repair it,” he urged.