Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has criticized the 2024 mid-year budget, saying it failed to meet the expectations of Ghanaians.
During his address in Parliament on July 23, following the Finance Minister’s mid-year budget presentation, Dr. Ato Forson, the Member of Parliament for Ejumako Enyan Essian, slammed the Akufo-Addo government for its inability to effectively manage the economy, citing a lack of innovative solutions to tackle the country’s economic woes.
“Ghanaians expected that the government would have removed a number of taxes because businesses are packing out of the country,” he said.
Dr. Forson listed some of the taxes he believes should have been removed, saying, “The taxes include covid levy, e-levy, ‘borla’ tax, tax on domestic electricity, emission levy.”
“In the last eight (8) years, Akufo-Addo and Bawumia have burdened Ghanaian businesses and individuals with high tax regime such as E-levy, COVID levy, an effective VAT rate of 22%….”
“This mid-year review leaves many people disappointed and uninspired. It gives no hope to the ordinary Ghanaian that anything will be done to change the unbearable hardships that confront the people of Ghana.”
“This is a missed opportunity. They are bereft of ideas, you are on your way to opposition.” He stated.
However, Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam reassured the public that the government remains dedicated to responsible financial management, pledging to stick to allocated budgets and exercise prudent control over spending to prevent excessive outlays.
“In effect, Mr. Speaker, we are living within our means. Indeed, consistent with our programme with the IMF, we are on course to achieving a primary surplus of 0.5 percent of GDP by end of the year,” Dr. Amin Adam added, highlighting the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline.
Story by: Michael Seh
