The Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Yohane Amarh Ashitey, has commended Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for articulating his vision for the 2024 elections.
Expressing his thoughts on the impressive promises made by Dr. Bawumia during the Ghana’s Next Chapter address on February 7, 2024, Ashitey admitted to being pleasantly surprised.
While acknowledging Dr. Bawumia’s reputation for delivering inspiring vision statements, Ashitey emphasized the astonishing nature of the Vice President’s address, providing genuine hope for average Ghanaians.
“I mean, this is Dr. Bawumia and I knew we were going to get an inspiring vision statement from him, but even I must admit that what he delivered is mind blowing. Far beyond inspiration, Dr. Bawumia gave us real hope that the average Ghanaian can trust in”, the MCE said in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the address.
In the address, Dr. Bawumia pledged to abolish the unpopular e-levy, recognizing its burden on the less privileged in society. He also outlined plans to reform the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to broaden the tax net, addressing the current imbalance where only a few taxpayers bear the burden.
Characterizing the current tax regime as outdated and inherited from colonial times, Dr. Bawumia highlighted existing loopholes that result in the GRA failing to collect approximately 13% of collectable tax, amounting to around GHC24 billion.
Mr Amarh Ashitey praised Dr. Bawumia’s commitment to closing these loopholes, foreseeing a positive impact on the need for future IMF borrowings or bailouts.
“Imagine that we are able to plug this loophole, there will never be the need to return to the IMF to borrow or undergo another bailout,” Amarh Ashitey said.
Additionally, the MCE lauded Dr. Bawumia’s announcements to abolish the proposed 15% tax on electricity, emission tax, and the betting tax, which has been a source of dissatisfaction for many Ghanaian youth.
In response to criticism, especially from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), regarding Dr. Bawumia’s reversal of taxes introduced by the Akufo-Addo government, Ashitey dismissed it as an attempt to use propaganda to conceal the discredited claim that Dr. Bawumia would be subservient to President Akufo-Addo if elected president.
According to Ashitey, Dr. Bawumia’s decisions demonstrate his autonomy and assertiveness, showcasing his genuine stance on issues that he may have disagreed with during his role as Vice President.
“We are seeing a vintage Dr. Bawumia who disagreed with many of the policies that were adopted by cabinet now asserting his own point of view on these issues. His decision to abolish e-levy, tax on betting, and tax on electricity shows you that he was against them but because he was not the president, was forced to endure them. Now that he is becoming his own man, we are seeing what really he wants for Ghanaians”, he said.