Minority's VAT boycott was just a PR gimmick - Amaliba

The ruling National Democratic Congress has described the Minority's boycott of a Parliamentary proceeding as a selfish move to gain public sympathy.

The Minority in Parliament led by its Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu on Friday walked out on proceedings when a 2.5 per cent increase in VAT was laid for approval.

A member of the NDC's legal and communications team, Abraham Amaliba speaking on Radio XYZ’ the Analyst on Saturday said the Minority’s behavior was unfortunate.

“If there is the need to increase the taxes we need to do that because we are no longer enjoying the largesse that we were receiving when we were a lower income country these are the hard truths and it is about time that we sacrificed.

The walkout was not staged properly. They were supposed to have notified the speaker that they do not want to be part of it…it was not borne out of good faith,” he added.

But the NPP has justified its decision to boycott Friday’s Parliamentary proceedings.

A member of its Legal and Communications team, Garry Nimako, said due diligence was not done at all hence their walkout was right and justified.