Potential Implosion in NPP Over E-Levy, As Dr. Apraku Rubbishes Obnoxious Tax

Dr. Kofi Konadu Apraku, a presidential aspirant and leading member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) a leading member of the governing NPP, has described the Akufo Addo administration’s introduction of the unpopular e-levy as “destructive” and a recipe to eroding the political fortunes of the ruling party.

Speaking in an interview with Joy News, the former Trade and Industry Minister who is lacing his boots to lead the ruling party in the 2024 elections was not amused with the passage of the e-levy policy which has been rejected by over 90% of Ghanaians according to several surveys conducted by a number of independent agencies.

“the government should tax businesses to generate resources. Individuals’ direct taxes such as this can sometimes be very very destructive, even the business. It is a basic economic principle that the lesser you tax the business and the government reduces its expenditure the better off it is for the nation,” Dr. Apraku stated.

“In the final analysis, it is the business that can carry the government. So, higher taxes are not desirable as an economic standard. The lower the taxes the greater the prospects for better growth…we are politicians and in the final analysis, the people are the ones who will give their verdict, if it’s as bad as people think it is and NPP insists on it, NPP will pay a big price…whatever be the case, government must expand its tax net for the corporations i.e. the bigger companies because they are the ones that are powerful and they are the ones that all things being equal evade taxes.”

Dr. Apraku’s sentiments are allegedly similar to several within the ruling party where some opposing camps are reported to be in anger over the handling of the Ghanaian economy by the Akufo Addo-led camp.

Critics assess that this growing sentiment may set off a massive internal pressure in the party when political campaigns begin for the 2024 general elections.