The Minority side in Parliament has urged the government to change its mode of running the economy, which has seen an increase in key taxes like the Energy Sector Levies (ESLA).

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The comments follow the Mid-year Budget review where three taxes that form part of the ESLA were increased in addition to the Communication Service Tax.

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At a press conference addressed by the Ranking Member on the Finance Committee, Cassiel Ato Forson, the Minority warned that more hardship awaited the country if the government did not amend its agenda.

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“The mid-year budget presented by the Finance Minister only offers gloom and portend very difficult times for all Ghanaians. There is, therefore, the need for the Akufo-Addo government to change course or they will plunge the economy into much bigger challenges,” he said.

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The Minority also warned that Ghana was faced with another International Monetary Fund programme because of the perceived economic mismanagement by the Akufo-Addo administration.

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Mr. Forson said Ghana was not far away from needing a bailout given the state of affairs.

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“Given the fiscal challenges confronting the country and the high level of public debt, it would not come as a surprise if Ghana seeks a bailout from the IMF less than two years after exiting a similar programme that the current administration proudly touted as an achievement.”

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Mr Forson, who is also MP for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, said the government had ignored the advice to resist the urge to impose new taxes.

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“These calls appear to have fallen on deaf ears…Under the ESLA increments, an average increase of 25% was imposed on the Power Generation and Infrastructure Support Levy, Road Fund Levy and the Price Stabilization and Recovery Levy.”

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“If these increases create frustration and Ghanaians wish to vent through phone calls or on social media, the Mid-year budget has made that expensive as well following the imposition of a 50% increase in the Communication Service Tax from 6% to 9%,” the MP said.

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Source: citinewsroom.com

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