Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Majority Leader, has asked to host Kwame Sefa Kayi to join the government’s appeal for Ghanaians to pay the proposed new taxes aimed at reviving the economy.
Contributing to a discussion on the 2021 Budget Statement on the Kokrokoo show on Friday, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame reported that it was important for the popular broadcaster to use his medium to educate the masses on the importance of paying the aforementioned taxes.
“Surprisingly, I’ve heard people suggesting that government should rather stimulate the economy but how do you do that without injecting resources? Injecting the resources also requires funds and where do we get that funds from? So I believe that instead of going for external borrowing, we must be self-supporting to reduce the country’s debtstock,” he said.
He continued, “So Kwame, don’t just moderate, you are like a referee so as you allow people to use your medium to share their grievances, you must also speak the truth you know to safe our nation.”
“It is the responsibility of all of us to come to the discussion table and find a solution,” he added.
As part of revenue steps to help the economy recover from the impact of the global pandemic, the government announced new taxes on petroleum products, a 1% Covid-19 Health Levy on VAT Flat Rate System, and a 1% National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL) in the 2021 budget statement and economic policy.
However, in response to the proposed new taxes, the MP claimed that it is to assist the country in recovering from the setback and restoring the economy to its pre-crisis condition.
