Brace Yourselves – 4More For Nana, is 4More for Taxes …Volta NDC

The Volta regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has added its voice to what it describes as a harbinger of four more years of excruciating hardships under the Akufo-Addo government.

In a press statement signed by the party’s Regional Communication Officer, Sorkpa K. Agbleze, Voltarians were told that the coming hardships are all captured in the 2021 Budget statement.

“Ghanaians will have to go through the pain and trauma of paying the following new taxes in the coming days: Covid 19 health Levy on VAT, Flat Rate Scheme (VFRS) and 1% on NHIL: For this particular tax, Ghanaians are to amazingly pay for the free water and electricity that they had enjoyed during the covid 19 lockdowns. Countries like the United States, Rwanda, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo among others that have given relief packages to their citizens have not asked them to pay for them,” the statement read.

 “The introduction of a 5% profit before tax on banks as the financial sector cleanup Levy: This tax will impose an additional burden on the over burdened Ghanaians because the banks will naturally pass this tax to their customers who had no hand in the mess created by the collapsed banks. This worryingly implies Ghanaians are being punished for the recklessness and failure of those who had been put in positions of leadership and responsibility.”

 The statement cited the review of the toll both tax upwards in what will force drivers to pay more in the coming days. 

 “Fuel prices will go up by 5.7%: This will have a negative impact on almost every sector of the economy; from agriculture, transport, commerce, education, health care delivery, prices of food, rent and the provision of other services,” the NDC group said.

While the Akufo Addo administration is driving the economy into austerity, its appointees and government machinery is gulping more public funds.

Indeed, the Ghanaian Parliament has been up in arms over huge cuts in its budgetary allocation and that of the Judiciary while the Presidency has asked for over Ghc1.5billion more to be allocated to it.

“Is this what Nana Addo’s government promised Ghanaians? It is now very clear that thefree water and free electricity were just a strategizes for winning voters. It amounts to taking Ghanaians for granted,” the statement from Volta NDC said.

It expressed condolences to Ghanaians saying the NDC had a different plan in mind; one that would relieve the people of a burdened life rather than punishment being visited by the Akufo-Addo government.