The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in parliament has since the date of the 2022 budget statement presented in the house presented their decision of rejection to the Ghanaian people on most of the policies in the document especially the controversial e-levy.
The decision of the minority has since given the Ghanaian people some comfort especially when the budget document was rejected. But the reinstatement of the budget by the majority side of the house has given a sense of a new direction that must be considered.
The NDC has presented its position on the e-levy to the Ghanaian people as they look forward to seeing how best the government will consider their and apply their concerns in the interest of the Ghanaian people. Here is the NDC Caucus in Parliament’s stand in a press statement.
THE POSITION OF THE NDC CAUCUS IN PARLIAMENT ON THE 1.75% E-LEVY PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE 2022 BUDGET STATEMENT.
The NDC Caucus in Parliament wishes to assure Ghanaians that it will continue to use every legitimate and lawful channel to resist the 1.75% E-Levy government is seeking to impose on the ordinary Ghanaian.
For the avoidance of doubt, the position of the NDC Caucus in Parliament right from the outset of the 2022 Budget debate has been that the 1.75% E-Levy government is seeking to impose is regressive, punitive, and draconian, and that same must be suspended.
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The Minority Caucus has vigorously championed this position in Parliament and in the media space to draw Government’s attention to our demands.
Subsequent to our rejection of the Budget on 26th November 2021, the government has sought to engage the NDC Caucus in a series of discussions towards finding an amicable solution to the impasse.
Surprisingly despite the good faith demonstrated by the NDC team recognizing the importance of the Budget to the economy, business and households, the government side out-rightly rejected our proposal for a revision of the E-levy leading to a breakdown of the discussions.
We wish to state unequivocally that no concrete decision or agreement has been reached between the government and the NDC Caucus in Parliament on this matter.
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As we speak, the government’s so-called concessions are unknown to us and we have no clear indication that they intend to seriously consider any of the proposals that have come up.
Under the circumstance, we wish to state that the NDC Caucus will maintain its original position as stated earlier.
Signed,
Hon. Muntaka Mubarak
MP for Asawase and Chief Whip.
