The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Pius Enam Hadzide says gambling is affecting the education of Ghanaian children. 

He said the incidence of betting should be a matter of concern to all parents as it is affecting the values of Ghanaian society. 

According to him, the Ghanaian people have suddenly developed an appetite for quick money instead of working hard to earn it. 

Speaking in an interview with Citi TV on Monday, August 21, the former Deputy Information Minister justified the 10% betting tax introduced by the government. 

“We have been concerned about the increasing incidences of gambling that are affecting even the education of children. Our assessment is that when you go to many of these betting sites, you see young people in uniforms betting.

"We have developed the culture that the Ghanaian is known as one who is hardworking, one who is committed to decent work and honest work. Those are our values. This idea of young people attempting to get rich quickly is a dangerous path to chart for any country in the long term.”

“So we have always advocated that the government should take steps to discourage gambling. We were looking at both legislative and physical measures, such as tax measures, to discourage and disincentivise people from indulging in excessive betting, especially now that our own research has indicated that the vast majority of the youth in our country are drifting into that area. In our view, it is a ticking time bomb.”

He thus urged persons raising opposition to the move to rethink and applaud the government for introducing the tax as a disincentive to curb the menace. 

“So we applaud the government because we have brought up this matter before past and present officers of state, and we are excited that the government is finally listening to us and implementing measures to disincentivise gambling,” he added. 

The Youth Wing of the NDC has asked the government to immediately abolish the recently imposed 10% withholding tax on all gross gaming winnings. 

According to them, the “insensitive policy” will worsen the plight of the already impoverished youths.

In a press statement issued by the National Youth Organiser of the party, George Opare Addo, the NDC Youth Wing threatened a series of protests should the government fail to abolish the tax.

These actions include picketing at the Ministry of Finance and other government offices across the country. 

“In the face of the unjust ten (10%) taxation on bet wins, we, the young people of Ghana and the NDC Youth, declare a resolute series of actions to resist the burdensome and insensitive policy.”

“Our unity is unwavering and our determination to protect the funds of the young people secured through betting is unyielding.”

“Through agitations, protects, agitations and advocacy and civic engagements, we will ensure our voices are heard and demand that this corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government rescind its decision,” excerpts of the release said.

But Mr Hadzide says the NDC is just playing on the emotions of the Ghanaian youth. 

Background 

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Tuesday, August 15, commenced the implementation of a 10% withholding tax on all gross gaming winnings.

According to the GRA, the withholding tax will be charged on profits accrued after each win and the existing 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) rate on each stake will no longer be charged.

The GRA said that the new policy is in line with an amendment to the Income Tax Act 2023 (No.2), Act 1094.