Govt Must Confess Its Incompetent Handling Of Economy To Pave Way For E-Levy …Prof. Atuguba

Dean of the University of Ghana Law School, Prof. Raymond Atuguba, has put in a word for the embattled Akufo-Addo government in the matter of the stalemate over the passage of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy).

At a lecture organized by the think-tank, Solidare Ghana, Prof. Atuguba pleaded with the Minority in Parliament to let the e-levy pass, but on some conditions, including a contrite apology from the incompetent Akufo-Addo government.

“The starting point for passing the E-levy is for government to stop lying to the citizenry, come clean and confess that they thought the job of managing the economy was simple, but now they know better, plead with the people of Ghana that we have limited options now,” Prof. Atuguba said.

He added, “Ghanaians will support it if this is done right.”

The revered Law Professor also demanded a policy of transparency around the e-levy from the government as a precondition. “We should however ask, for one thing, absolute transparency every step of the way in the way and manner this e-levy is used.”

Explaining why the e-levy must be passed, Prof. Atuguba said it is the country’s most compelling way out, with a constraint to return to “the stronghold of the IMF” as the other option.

Beyond these options, he said the government may have to increase fuel prices which are already so high, or watch the economy collapse.

And so as a rescue mission, he urged parliament to pass the e-levy even though the thievish tax is horrible and wicked.

“The first step is to pass the E-levy immediately and implement it effectively. To prevent the collapse of the economy and a return to the stronghold of the IMF, we have no choice but to pass it,” he said.

“As horrible and wicked as it is, it is the only way to save our economy from the collapse in the short term” he further noted.