Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has criticised the 2024 mid-year budget, describing it as uninspiring and hopeless. Reacting to the mid-year budget review, he expressed his concerns to the media, urging Ghanaians to brace for more hardship.
The Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam Member of Parliament argued that the government missed an opportunity to provide relief by abolishing certain taxes, which could have cushioned Ghanaians and businesses alike.
“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.”
According to Dr. Forson, none of the actions taken by the government have successfully reversed the troubling economic predicament of the country.
High Import Duties and Economic Challenges
Dr. Forson also voiced his dissatisfaction with the high import duties, which he claims have resulted in a significant reduction of traffic at the Tema port by about 50%.
He highlighted the high unemployment rate and the unbearable cost of living as key issues facing the country.
“The high import duties have cut traffic at the Tema port in half, and the cost of living is unbearable for many,” he added.
Call for tax reforms
Dr. Forson criticised the government’s tax policies over the past eight years, noting that the administration of President Akufo-Addo and Vice-President Bawumia has burdened Ghanaian businesses and individuals with a high tax regime, including the E-Levy and the COVID-19 levy, resulting in an effective VAT rate of 22%.
To address these challenges, Dr. Forson suggested that the government should scrap what the Minority perceives as nuisance taxes, including the E-Levy and the COVID-19 levy, among others.
