The Information Minister Kojo Oppong Nkrumah is pleading with Members of Parliament and Ghanaians to accept the new taxes introduced in the 2021 Budget Statement.

Speaking in Parliament Tuesday, he said that the resources acquired with these taxes are meant to help grow back the economy after it was hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

“Mr Speaker, we are at that point where every Ghanaian has to chip in a little so that we are able to recover. We cannot as a country allow the temporary challenges that we face today to hold us back.

"We need to bite the bullet, raise some more resources and invest the same in the things that we all aspire to achieve in this country.”

Mr Oppong Nkrumah said that the government needs the resources to fund, roads, sanitation projects and the many policies it introduced like Free SHS, Planting for Food and Jobs, among others.

He explained that the success of these policies and projects will ensure the growth of the economy.

He stated “Mr Speaker for all of us members of parliament who demand, road projects in our constituencies, if govt desires to increase the road tolls marginally, to raise more resources to ensure our contractors are paid on time, so that our roads our done, it is something that will benefit our constituents and us as well.”

“For all of us who complained that the President promised Accra should become the cleanest city in Africa within a period of time that promise has not been materialised.

"I am sure that if we pay a little extra and those funds are put to the proper use, we'll able to make not just Accra but Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale and other cities the cleanest in West Africa. it will serve our constituents well and serve us well.”

Government through the 2021 budget statement and economic policy proposed new taxes on petroleum products, 1% Covid-19 Health Levy on VAT Flat Rate Scheme and 1% on the National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL).

It faced criticisms when it announced on March 12, it will be introducing the new taxes as part of revenue measures to help the economy recover from the effects of the global pandemic.

The Buisila South MP, Dr Clement Apaak, condemned the introduction of new taxes by the government in the 2021 Budget Statement.

He said because of the Covid-19 pandemic it is unfair for government to put additional strain on citizens when production is low and personal income has dwindled.

“I want to call all members of this house that as the government program has been put before us, we all rally behind govt pass these revenue measures and approve this budget, raise the resources required and most importantly, ensure that resources are put to the uses for which they have been advertised.”

Meanwhile, Information Minister believes that the government’s first term proved that raising resources secured the country’s growth thus it is important for MPs to accept the 2021 Budget.

“I want to call all members of this house that as the government program has been put before us, we all rally behind govt pass these revenue measures and approve this budget, raise the resources required and most importantly, ensure that resources are put to the uses for which they have been advertised.”