Kofi Akpaloo, the Presidential Aspirant for the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), has vowed to significantly raise the betting tax rate from 10% to 60% if elected in the upcoming December 7 elections.
Akpaloo emphasized that his administration would prioritize job creation to employ the youth, while also eliminating distractions like sports betting that he believes detract from productive work.
In an interview on Hitz FM’s Cruise Control on August 29, Akpaloo argued that sports betting does not constitute hard work or a reliable way to earn money. By increasing the tax, he hopes to discourage participation in betting activities.
“I didn’t say I am going to cancel it [betting tax]. I said if I have my way, I will increase the tax to discourage them [youth]. If they will, maybe 60% at least. I want to give them jobs to do so that they focus,” he said.
Kofi Akpaloo’s remarks come as a direct response to campaign promises made by the flagbearers of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, both of whom have pledged to abolish the betting tax if elected.
While Dr. Bawumia and John Mahama have proposed eliminating the tax and exploring alternative solutions, Akpaloo contends that the most effective strategy is to deter young people from engaging in what he considers unwise investments, such as sports betting.
He believes that raising the tax would help steer the youth away from gambling and towards more productive pursuits.