Gabby: Revenue Generation Measures In 2023 Budget “Critical”

Gabby Otchere Darko, a leading Member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has described as “critical” the revenue generation measures for the yet-to-be-presented 2023 Budget Statement and Economic Policy.

The Budget statement will be presented on Thursday, November 24, 2022, by the Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta.

According to Gabby, the budget in itself is “crucial” and “can’t suffer” the same fate as the 2022 Budget.

The delayed budget now features conclusions the government reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a US$ 3 billion facility which the government says will provide additional funding to support the 2023 Budget and development programme.

If not passed, Gabby said, “could completely derail negotiations with the Fund”.

The 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the government was met with a stern opposition from the Minority over the introduction of the Electronic Transaction Levy.

The opposition of the public and the Minority to the 1.75 per cent tax on all electronic and mobile money transfers was revised to 1.5% later by the government.

In Spite of the Minority’s fight against it using their numbers, the Supreme Court and even a fisticuff with the Majority in Parliament, the bill was approved by the Majority in March this year when the Minority staged a walk-out.

It seems the August House won’t be spared another agitation with contents of the 2023 budget.

“Thursday’s 2022 budget is crucial. It can’t suffer a fate similar to the 2022 budget and its revenue measures. It could completely derail negotiations with the Fund if not passed”, Gabby Tweeted.

He added, “Critical to this are its revenue generation measures.”

He, therefore, pleaded with the minority to avoid any resistance to the Budget.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini