The President of IMANI-Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has opposed the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama's decision to abolish taxes on bet winnings.

This follows a pledge by Mr. Mahama on Monday to abolish the 10% tax on sports betting should he win the 2024 general elections.

In August 2023, President Akufo-Addo had introduced the 10% withholding tax on betting and lottery winnings.

But this 10% withholding tax on betting and lottery winnings has faced stiff resistance from the youth of Ghana, who have expressed their disapproval.

Speaking on Mr. Mahama’s promise on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Cudjoe said that instead of completely removing the tax policy, Mr. Mahama’s government should consider reducing the tax rate.

“Despite the economic challenges, I do not agree that we should completely remove taxes on the winning cash of betting. He can revise the tax downwards,” he said on Tuesday.

The IMANI-Africa President further noted that the current tax rate is too high, leading to dissatisfaction among young people who rely on betting as a source of income.

“Some of the boys were complaining and I understood them because they argue that ‘you are not creating jobs for me as a government, the little joy I get from betting, you tax the joy away’. Of course, we don’t want that, but I think there has to be a middle ground.”

Mr Cudjoe also criticised former President John Mahama for not addressing this issue in a more balanced way during the launch of the Youth Manifesto.

“John Mahama should have said ‘Look, taxes must be implemented to generate revenue for the country; however, the rate will be revised’. I would have agreed to that but in terms of doing away with it, that is more political talk,” he stated.