Tax exemptions becoming a new form of kickback for Akufo-Addo cronies – Minority

The Minority in Parliament has raised concerns regarding the government’s practice of granting tax exemptions to companies, alleging a connection to corrupt practices.

In a press statement, signed by the Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, asserted that individuals accustomed to benefiting from corrupt activities are now diverting their focus to manipulating tax revenue for personal gain.

The Minority outlined a conditional stance, declaring their willingness to support tax waiver or exemption requests from companies only if those entities agree to allocate a corresponding equity stake in their investment projects or businesses to the State. This condition aligns with the provisions of sections 14(3) and 15 of the Exemptions Act, 2022 (Act 1083), as stated by the Minority.

“As we speak, government is seeking to rake in some GHS11 billion from a plethora of new tax measures it has outlined in the 2024 budget. The effect of these new taxes will result in the poor becoming poorer, suffocating industry and businesses and further increasing the hardships Ghanaians are already experiencing.”

“This government is simply robbing Peter to pay Paul by exacting taxes from Ghanaians, only to dole out huge tax exemptions to their cronies for kickbacks. It is for this reason that we call on all Ghanaians to join us in this fight,” the statement added.

Accusing the government of a contradictory fiscal approach, the Minority claimed that while imposing additional taxes on citizens, it simultaneously grants substantial tax exemptions to its associates, allegedly in exchange for kickbacks. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmakers called on all Ghanaians to unite against what they perceive as an unjust and detrimental practice.

Source:newsalertgh