New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Communications team member, General Nkansah has said that the approval of three revenue taxes seeks to increase the use of Ghana made product.
“We have a lot of food production companies which produces fruit drinks, canned foods and many others, why should we still import such foods??
“So the government has decided to increase taxes on importation, to discourage importation in the country. These three taxes carry a lot of benefits…and unfortunately some Ghanaians do not see it,” he added.
Speaking on Oman Yi Mu Nsem on OilCity Radio, Mr. Nkansah disclosed that the taxes will not only generate revenue but help reduce respiratory ailment.
“A lot of people smoke cigarette, tobacco…in the international world what kills a lot of people is smoking …it dangerous to both the adult and youth and the government has decided to make it less encouraging for people to purchase.”
However, there have been several criticism over the passage of the three bills by parliament on March 31.
The three revenue bills are the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, the Excise Duty and Excise Tax Stamp (Amendment) Bill, and the Growth and Sustainability Levy Bill.
Former president John Mahama has said in a Facebook post that the government has failed to take measures aimed at easing the tax burden on Ghanaians.
“Government is estimated to save almost GHC50 billion this year from the suspension of external debt service payments and the Domestic Debt Exchange.
“This windfall and a reduction of government expenditure could have been used to reduce the tax burden being imposed on Ghanaian businesses and individuals now,” Mahama wrote on Facebook.
The bills were given the green light after a majority decision of 137-136 on Friday 31 March 2023.
Government is seeking to generate approximately GHC4 billion a year to supplement domestic revenue following the passage of the three bills.
