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Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Effutu, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has questioned the ability of the incoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to implement its policies while fulfilling promises to scrap certain taxes.
Afenyo-Markin expressed doubts about how the NDC, led by President-elect John Dramani Mahama, intends to roll out social intervention programmes after eliminating taxes such as the E-Levy and the betting tax.
Mahama, during his campaign for the December 7 elections, pledged to repeal the Electronic Transfer Tax (E-Levy), the 10% betting tax, and the emissions levy, among others, within his first 120 days in office.
Delivering his address during Parliament's resumption on Monday, December 16, Afenyo-Markin challenged the NDC, stating:
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We are aware that this incoming government is going to implement this Nkok) nkitinkiti policy. The Nkok) nkitinkiti is a social intervention programme. We are going to welcome it. But you say you are going to reduce taxes, repeal the betting tax, the E-Levy, and taxes at the port. We wonder where you will get the money to implement your policies. We are waiting.
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The Majority Leader also admitted that the outgoing New Patriotic Party (NPP) government had made mistakes and accepted the electoral verdict.
Mr Speaker, this is a time for reflection, particularly for those of us moving into opposition. No party can run a perfect government. We concede that mistakes were made, and the people have spoken. We’ve accepted it.
Parliament reconvened today after being adjourned on November 7 amidst the four vacant seats controversy. Notably, NPP MPs took their seats on the right-hand side of Speaker Alban Bagbin, indicating the majority caucus, while NDC MPs sat on the left as the minority.