If we eliminate the betting tax, where will we find the funds to rebuild the country? Ablakwa Okudzeto

The North Tongu Constituency's Member of Parliament, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has made a noteworthy statement about the taxes that H.E. John Dramani Mahama, the president-elect, pledged in his platform to eliminate if elected. Hon. Ablakwa expressed serious worries during his interview on JoyNews' Newsfile on the viability of rebuilding the nation if the new NDC administration fulfills its commitment to remove taxes like the COVID-19 levy, E-levy, and betting tax. Given the significant financial harm purportedly inflicted by the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia regime, he questioned how the NDC intends to generate enough income to restore the nation.

The Member of Parliament for the North Tongu Constituency is Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa. As he described the specifics of the "Operation Recover All Loot" (ORAL) plan led by H.E. John Dramani Mahama, this conversation started. An important member of the ORAL team, Hon. Ablakwa, underlined that the goal of this project is to recoup money that was lost to corruption during the current administration. According to him, the Akufo-Addo administration has overseen unheard-of resource waste and financial losses, making it the "most scandal-ridden government in Ghana’s history." Hon. Ablakwa claims that losses from more than 30 corruption schemes have topped $18.4 billion.

He maintained that the recovery of these monies is essential to advancing the nation's progress, especially in view of the NDC's pledge to do away with some taxes. Hon. Ablakwa also referenced the 2023 Auditor-General's report, which showed that corruption cost Ghana GH¢8.80 billion. He restated the NDC's resolve to get back these embezzled monies and use them for domestic development initiatives. He claimed that the ORAL team is actively obtaining proof against those connected to corruption during the Akufo-Addo administration. In closing, Hon. Ablakwa emphasized the importance of accountability and declared that no one found guilty will be exempt.

Source: JoyNews