I am interested in participating developmental debates , not political propaganda – Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture

Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso Constituency, Dr. Stephen Amoah, is advocating for a transformative shift in the approach of opposition parties towards challenging government policies.

Expressing weariness with the cyclical nature of partisan disputes, especially regarding taxation and public spending, Dr. Amoah emphasized the need for politicians to prioritize policies that benefit the nation over engaging in political rhetoric.

In an interview on TV3, Dr. Amoah urged a departure from the traditional pattern where opposition parties reflexively oppose policies introduced by the sitting government.

“It is crystal clear that anytime there is an introduction or increment or taxes, these things do happen. When the NDC were in power and they wanted to increase or introduce a new tax, the NPP would sometimes hide behind or start arguments opposing it and the public would follow. It is the same way when NPP is bringing a new tax, the NDC would start arguments and the public will follow. No matter where on this earth people want to release funds from their company or their pocket, it’s a natural instinct.

“But for how long should we continue this? Do we ask ourselves if we really need to take taxes or not? What is the situation of our fiscal space today? If we don’t take, what happens and if we take taxes also, what happens? What will be the resultant effect on the economy? Is it going to be adverse in the short, medium or long term for us as a country? People are calling for the increment of salaries and allowances to satisfy a lot of needs. As a country, how do we fund them? Do we take taxes? So, I think there should be a paradigm shift, we should come to a point that the idea of recycling NPP, NDC opposing every good thing or bad thing because we want to come to power, must stop, in my opinion.

“… I mean anybody can do politics with it but I am trying to have a shift personally. I know once in a while I can come. But I am trying to move myself from anything you have to defend in the name of politics to get to the point where all of us come to a new point of convergence, enough of these things,” he said.

He stressed the importance of finding solutions that enhance the country’s well-being rather than perpetuating political propaganda.The Deputy Agric Minister questioned the sustainability of the current practice, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift.

He urged a collective reassessment of the nation’s fiscal space, contemplating the consequences of both imposing and not imposing taxes.

Dr. Amoah called for a fresh perspective that transcends the habitual opposition and support based on political affiliation.

Citing the persistence of the same variables in opposition complaints since the inception of the Fourth Republic, Dr. Amoah prompted a reflection on the nation’s objectives, focus, and long-term goals.

He called for a collective pause to ponder whether Ghana should continue the existing pattern of challenges or redirect its efforts towards a more cohesive and goal-oriented approach for national development.

“All the complaints, the challenges, oppositions from the late JJ Rawlings through to Nana Addo’s time, they are the same variables.

“When former President Rawlings was there, the very things Ghanaians were complaining about in terms of variables are the same even up until now. With this, do we continue this thing as a country or we should pull the brakes and ask ourselves what we want to attain. We have to ask ourselves what our focus is, our long term goals and also if we really want to build this country,” he asked.