Presidential Aspirant of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG), Kofi Akpaloo, says if he is elected President of Ghana come December 7, he will raise the betting tax rate from 10% to about 60%.

According to him, when given the political mandate, he would focus on creating jobs to employ the youth and would remove all avenues with the potential to distract them, including sports betting.

Speaking on Hitz FM's Cruise Control on August 29, he said sports betting was neither a form of hard work nor a money-making venture, hence increasing it would discourage many.

“I didn’t say I am going to cancel it [betting tax]. I said if I have my way, I will increase the tax to discourage them [youth]. If they will, maybe 60% at least. I want to give them jobs to do so that they focus,” he said.

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His comments come in response to promises made by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, to abolish the betting tax, and by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Mahama, to also abolish and explore alternatives to the controversial tax.

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However, Mr Akpaloo argues that the best approach is to discourage the youth from investing in unwise ventures.