Government has defended its decision to impose taxes on packaged water despite widespread criticisms. The World Bank Country Director and pressure group Alliance for Accountable Governance, AFAG, have both questioned the economic sense in taxing packaged water. But Deputy Information Minister Samuel Okudjeto Ablakwa says the tax will only cover the rubber used to bag the water. “We have not taxed water; we have since brought to the notice of the World Bank [Country Director] and other Ghanaians who have requested further information that what was done in Parliament was not a tax on water; it was the tax on packaging, the plastic. That tax is supposed to deal with the environmental issue that these plastic waste brings about,” Mr Okudzeto said. Meanwhile, the Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG) has vowed to put more pressure on government if the tax is not withdrawn and increases in road tolls not reduced. “What we’re saying is if government does not review downwards immediately these recent adjustments and tolls..., AFA will use every legitimate means to resist it,” Samuel Awuku, a leading member of AFAG said. Source: Joy News/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana