Audio By Carbonatix
Majority Chief Whip in Parliament, Frank Annor Dompreh says the Minority has acted in bad faith by insisting on the removal of the electronic transaction levy.
Interacting with JoyNews' Parliamentary Correspondent, Kwesi Parker-Wilson, he explained that the Minority side decided to settle for a 1% E-levy following its opposition to the implementation of 1.75%. However, its leadership has rescinded the decision to settle and called for its complete rejection.
"Yesterday we heard them loud and clear that now it is a no - no. I think we are also guided but it is just a display of bad faith on their part. During initial stages you engaged and at a point, some of their leaders were on record saying if you go one per cent (E-levy), we are okay. Then suddenly you make a U-turn.
On the E-levy, the Minister has demonstrated certain democratic credentials. He just didn't suddenly make that decision," he said.
The Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP noted that a lot of efforts are required to ensure the reduction of the proposed levy. He said acknowledging this, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta made the efforts to engage both sides of the House to reach a resolution on the matter.
"It is just about getting up and saying that I have reduced it. No, it is not done like that. They have been in government. Haruna Iddrisu has been a minister several times. When he was Minister for Employment, I don't think that is how he engaged the labour front. No, it is not as easy as you see it. That is why the Minister (Finance) has said I will relate.
"Even from the onset, when he (Finance Minister) came and he had to be sacked for lack of better words, from the chamber, he had said he wanted to engage the leadership."
For Mr Annor Dompreh, the Majority has made its point known since "we are convinced about what we believe in and want to do in the next 2 to 3 years."
According to sources, Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, whiles speaking at the 10th Anniversary launch of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications in Accra said his side will readily accept a reduction of the proposed electronic transaction levy (e-levy) to 1% from 1.75%.
“A week ago, it was no no no, we won’t accept e-levy but having listened to officials in government, including the Minister of Finance. I am convinced to accept a departure from my original no to accepting a one per cent e-levy,” he said.
But setting the record straight, former Deputy Communications Minister, Felix Ofosu Kwakye stated that interactions with the Tamale South MP revealed that he, Haruna Iddrisu will together with the NDC MPs oppose the introduction of the E-levy irrespective of the rate presented by the Akufo-Addo-led government.
“I have had the opportunity to engage the Minority leader since yesterday after a clip of him at an event organized by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications surfaced. There have been some varied interpretations and many have expressed concern over whether the NDC was backing down from its initial position.
“From my discussions with him, he has permitted me to state authoritatively, for the avoidance of doubt that he will be joining all his 136 colleagues to reject this budget anytime it comes up if all the five conditions they have tabled are not met including zero percent E-levy," he said on Accra-based Metro TV.
Also, the Minority Chief Whip in Parliament, Muntaka Mubarak stated that the Minority is unwavering on its position to reject the imposition of an electronic transaction tax also known as E-levy by government.
“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,” he assured.
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister has indicated that the E-levy remains at 1.75 per cent.
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