The Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has critique the government’s economic policies during an extraordinary parliamentary session held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
The session, convened just 95 days before the December general elections, was called to address urgent parliamentary business, but Dr. Forson seized the opportunity to voice the Minority’s strong opposition to the government’s handling of key issues.
Dr. Forson began by criticizing the recall of Parliament, which he claimed was initiated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Majority to fast-track tax exemptions for favored businesses.
He reiterated the Minority’s longstanding position against these tax exemptions, arguing that they are not in the best interest of the Ghanaian taxpayer.
“The Minority’s position on these tax exemptions has not changed. We have always maintained that these tax exemptions are not in the best interest of the taxpayer,” Dr. Forson stated.
He emphasized that the exemptions should be converted to tax credits or linked to equity shares, as stipulated in the Tax Exemptions Act, before they could support the proposals.
He decried the government’s move to give away over $350 million in tax revenue, describing it as an “opaque and nontransparent” process benefiting crony businesses.
Dr. Forson also questioned the urgency of the recall, arguing that the giveaway of tax exemptions is not an issue that warrants such an emergency session.
Instead, he highlighted the ongoing economic challenges facing the country, including high living costs and the inability of many Ghanaians to make ends meet.
“Ghana’s economy is still bleeding, cost of living continues to be high, and Ghanaians can simply not make ends meet. These are the real bread and butter issues that should concern any serious government,” he asserted.
The Minority Leader expressed grave concerns about the state of the cocoa industry, revealing that the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has been unable to secure loans from international banks, further exacerbating the sector’s troubles.
He pointed out that the prevailing world market price of cocoa and the exchange rate would lead to a significant financial strain on COCOBOD, potentially forcing the organization to sell a bag of cocoa at GHS9,700, while the cocoa farmers should receive nothing less than GHS6,000 per bag.
“The payment of GHS6,000 per bag of cocoa is critical because cocoa farmers deserve the benefit of their hard labor,” Dr. Forson insisted.
Turning his attention to the upcoming elections, Dr. Forson raised alarms about the integrity of the Voter Register, which the Electoral Commission has admitted is riddled with irregularities and flaws. He suggested that the scale of these irregularities could indicate tampering with the voter database, and called for a forensic audit to ensure the credibility of the register.
“I am sorry Mr. Speaker, we cannot vouch for the integrity of the Voter Register as it stands,” Dr. Forson warned, demanding a thorough investigation into the matter.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Forson painted a grim picture of the current state of the nation, citing the struggling economy, the free fall of the Ghanaian cedi, rising unemployment, and the deteriorating conditions in healthcare, education, and the environment. He urged Parliament to make decisions that prioritize the welfare of the Ghanaian people, emphasizing that the nation’s crisis demands a people-centered approach.
“Our decisions should be people-centered. It should not be about us. It should be about the Ghanaian people. It should be Ghana First! Mr. Speaker, Ghana is in crisis,” Dr. Forson concluded.
Dr. Forson’s remarks reflect the deepening political tensions as the country heads towards a highly anticipated election, with economic challenges and electoral integrity emerging as key battlegrounds.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
