We’ll not increase taxes in the next four years – Mahama promises

President John Mahama is promising not to increase taxes for the next four years if he is re-elected as president of the republic.

This promise was delivered by Communications Minister, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah who says the party’s manifesto did not mention issues of taxes.

Some critics say this position by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is to counter the promises by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) which has promised to cut down on some of the current taxes and totally abolish some of them.

The NPP’s running mate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has also lashed out at the government for some taxes that have been introduced. The NPP has consistently criticised the government of over taxing Ghanaians and under delivering on the economy. These accusations have however been countered by the NDC on several platforms.

According to Dr. Omane Boamah, government has a detailed plan of raising revenue to effectively run the country following the firm foundation it has laid in the last few years in power.

Speaking on Joy Fm, the communications minister who has been part of president Mahama’s campaigning across the country said “you realise that in this manifesto (NDC’s 2016 Manifesto) we haven’t spoken of increasing any tax” adding that the already existing sources of revenue would be enhanced to be more effective.

He further indicated that some of the new structures built by government eg: Accra regional hospital (formerly ridge hospital) and other existing taxes would serve well for the government. Dr. Omane Boamah reiterated that “efficient measures are being introduced and that alone would help in enhancing the revenue…”