Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Okudzeto Ablakwa, has leveled sharp criticism against President Nana Akufo-Addo, accusing him of being a “President of contradictions.”
His criticism stems from President Akufo-Addo’s apparent reversal on his promise to address the issue of tax waivers and exemptions upon assuming office.
Addressing journalists after President Akufo-Addo delivered the 2024 State of the Nation Address on February 27, 2024, Mr Ablakwa pointed out that during President Akufo-Addo’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA), he vowed to end tax exemptions.
However, the President is now advocating for the approval of tax exemptions, contradicting his earlier stance.
“Go and read his first SONA, he said when he comes into office, he is going to address the issue of tax waivers, tax exemptions, he’s going to end it but today, he’s rather urging us to approve the tax exemptions he has presented to us,” Ablakwa remarked.
Ablakwa’s comments highlight what he perceives as a shift in the President’s position on tax policies, leading him to characterize President Akufo-Addo as a leader marked by inconsistencies.
Also, he chastised the President for failing on his promise to tackle corruption head-on as promised prior to assuming the role.
“[One] disappointment is the President’s refusal to touch on corruption. Looking at the first State of the Nation Address, he assured us he was going to protect the public purse; he will fight corruption head-on, now in his eight years, he can’t even approach the issue of corruption, he is avoiding the promise to protect the public purse. So what is going on? Is he conceding defeat that corruption has defeated him?” he said.