The Majority Caucus in Parliament on Thursday accused the National Democratic Congress Minority Caucus of trying to hinder Ghana’s economic progress by consistently opposing certain tax exemptions currently being considered by the House.
Consequently, the Majority Caucus has urged the Minority Caucus to assist the government in advancing the country’s economic growth.
The call from the Majority Caucus arose after the Minority Caucus rejected a request for a $350 million tax exemption for 42 companies under the government’s One District One Factory initiative (1D1F).
During the House’s recall on Friday, May 17, the Minority, led by Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, questioned the rationale behind such exemptions when the government was facing financial difficulties due to the economic crisis.
Addressing the Parliamentary Press Corps in Parliament on Thursday, MAlexander Afenyo-Markin stated:
“The Minority leader, Dr Ato Forson is leading that charge on behalf of the minority NDC in Parliament, and their main aim is to obstruct government business and to deny the people of Ghana the needed economic growth, which will result from businesses investing in the country and expanding their businesses.”
He revealed that there were up to $400 million worth of tax waiver requests that had been pending at the Finance Committee for over three years, entangled in a political stalemate.
“However, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has vowed to block these requests at every turn, and they are being hypocritical,” he said.
Mr Afenyo-Markin alleged that the NDC government, led by former President John Dramani Mahama, had granted Members of Parliament (MPs) more than $800 million in tax waivers during their tenure.
“But we know that in 2016, this country experienced the most outrageous tax giveaway we’ve ever seen in Ghana when the NDC led by President John Mahama handed a tax waiver of $832 million to Meridian Port Services. At the time, the NDC government applied for a tax waiver of $982 million for the port project,” he said.