Convener of the #FixTheCountry, Oliver Barker-Vormawor, says the Movement has decided not to join the NDC in its demonstration against the e-Levy because they do not believe in the genuineness of the coalition.

According to him, the involvement of the NDC makes the movement partisan, which in turn creates a platform for divisiveness, but, #FixTheCountry wants to build a multi-sectoral and non-partisan coalition against the levy.

Speaking on Top Story on Monday, he said, “we do think that the involvement of the NDC in this conversation muddies the waters and creates a partisan framework within which to engage. We are not sure and we haven't been given indication demonstrating to us convincingly that the NDC is committed to building a broader and non-partisan coalition.” 

“NDC is saying that they are bringing on board some other groups and parties to try to create some framework against this. To be honest, it is still a very NDC led process, it is not a genuine coalition of equals,” Mr. Barker-Vormawor said.

He stated that the party bringing people on board for the process seems to elevate the NDC and this defeats the kind of national unity that is needed to confront the levy.

On February 3, the Youth Wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) announced plans to embark on a street protest against the Electronic Transactions Levy (e-levy) on Thursday, February 10, 2022.

The protest dubbed ‘Yentua Demonstration’ will start at 7:00am at the Obra Spot.

A letter signed by the National Youth Organiser of the Party, George Opare Addo, explained that there is an urgent need for them to protest the tax policy, saying “the young people of this country are frustrated and tired of the happenings in the country”.

The protest is also to impress upon government to “rescind its desperate efforts on the Electronic [Transactions] Levy, end widespread corruption, redeem young people from mass unemployment, pay outstanding arrears to workers and end the UTAG endless strike immediately”.

However, two civil society advocacy groups, #FixTheCountry Movement and the Economic Fighters League have declined an invitation from the NDC to participate in the upcoming protest.

On the other hand, the leader of the Economic Fighters League, Ernesto Yeboah, said, “we’re not interested in a coalition at this moment. And then we have indicated to the NDC that, in fact we see nothing wrong with their Youth Wing leading a demonstration against the e-levy.”

Meanwhile, Barker-Vormawor said that if the demonstration against the levy is hosted by a non-partisan group including Civil Society Organisations, the Movement would join in the campaign against the levy.

“The NDC had already notified the Police about the demonstration before they reached out to us, they had already chosen a name and what they were going to do. Also, at the press conference, they said they would give the opportunity to the other groups to address the media. It is not a genuine coalition if you are the one giving an opportunity to others, it has to be a relationship of equals.”

But, reacting to these developments, George Opare Addo said the upcoming protest is in the interest of all Ghanaians, hence the need for all concerned citizens to rally behind the NDC Youth wing to mount pressure on the government to thrash the E-levy Bill, amongst other worrying issues in the country.