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Fasting and Lying
By Innocent Appiah
A startling revelation has stirred political and religious disbelieve as former Finance Minister and devoted Muslim, Amin Anta, attempted to evade blame for the controversial Gamble Tax, only to face a storm of public backlash aimed at the New Patriotic Party (NPP), dipping its already tattered reputation.
Despite turning a blind eye to public outcry during their reign, the ex-finance minister now claims the Betting Tax was merely introduced and not enforced, lambasting the current government’s plan to scrap the very tax they once opposed.
However, his web of deceit quickly unraveled, sparking outrage among the public who did not take kindly to being deceived.
The fact that the former Minister, hitherto, a calm gentleman chose to lie while observing the ritual fasting in the month of Ramadan has also agitated religious observers.
The controversy ignited when Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced intentions to abolish the 10% withholding tax on betting winnings, also known as the “betting tax,” in the 2025 budget.
This move drew swift condemnation from the Minority in Parliament, spearheaded by former Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
Dr. Adam accused the government of hoodwinking the public, asserting that the betting tax had never been enforced during the NPP’s tenure.
Yet, official documents from the Ghana Revenue Authority painted a different picture. Records revealed that the NPP not only enacted but also raked in substantial revenues from the betting tax while in power.
“The facts are crystal clear. The NPP not only implemented the tax but also benefited significantly from it. Their current denial is a blatant distortion of the truth,” remarked tax expert Marian Asiedu-Ampah.
This inconsistency shines a light on the NPP’s overarching tax strategy. Despite advocating for a robust tax base and compliance from high-income entities, the party hesitated to enforce measures such as the betting tax when they had the chance.
Civil activist Millicent Aku Kadiadze criticized the NPP’s cherry-picking of tax policies, underscoring the negative repercussions on tax fairness and even development in Ghana.
The ongoing debate surrounding the betting tax mirrors a larger pattern of the NPP prioritizing political gain over the nation’s wellbeing.
By flip-flopping on the betting tax they once championed, the party’s opportunistic maneuvers have laid bare their true colors, denting their credibility in the process.
Furthermore, the NPP’s conflicting stance on the betting tax directly contradicts their earlier pledge to scrap the levy altogether.
With public pressure mounting, Ghanaians are demanding accountability and transparency from their leaders, pushing for a tax system that benefits all citizens fairly. At this critical juncture,
Ghanaians remain vigilant and unyielding in holding their leaders accountable, calling for an end to double standards and political deceit in favor of genuine progress grounded in openness, equity, and the greater good.