Actress Lydia Forson Calls ‘Kumi Preko’ Akufo-Addo’s Hypocrisy Over E-Levy

Actress, Lydia Forson, is wondering how President Akufo-Addo, who led the ‘Kumi Preko’ demonstrations against the introduction of the Value Added Tax, 25 years ago, cycled back to imposing a controversial electronic levy (e-levy) on Ghanaians as they were going through serious economic hardships.

In a tweet, she asks what has changed in the man who had presented himself as an anti-tax hero when he was in opposition.

“It’s still hard to believe that our president led the Kume Preko against VAT( value-added tax) because of the high cost of living then. Over 25 years later, he’s justifying #elevy at a time when people are barely making ends meet. What changed? Power?,” Forson jabbed.

The Akufo-Addo government has rolled out the controversial e-levy even though the public has vehemently protested it.

Under the law, every money transfer above Ghc100 will attract a 1.5% tax. Akufo-Addo signed the tax Bill illegally approved by his party’s MPs who could not form a quorum in parliament.

Meanwhile, the Kumi Prekop demonstration that Lydia Forson refers to happened in the 90s when Rawlings was president. It was against the introduction of 10% VAT.

The demonstration infamously ended in violence when Akufo-Addo led the demonstrators to clash with Police, leading to the deaths of some persons.

Interestingly, later in 2008 when Akufo-Addo’s party won the election and came to office, it increased the VAT percentage charge from 10% to 12%.