Minority: Work On E-levy, Agyapa, Tidal Waves, Aker Energy, Import Benchmark Value & Submit Budget

The minority in Parliament has made public policies that should be reviewed in the 2022 budget statement and economic policy for approval in parliament.

The five highlights include; the suspension of the electronic levy, withdrawal of the Agyapa deal, provisions for tidal waves in Keta and its environs, reconstruction of Aker energy, and review of benchmark value for imports.

According to the statement signed by the Minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu, the budget can be submitted for their approval after their highlights are addressed.

Below are the highlights:

Suspend the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy); The Government should suspend the E-Levy and properly engage stakeholders to agree on a reasonable policy. How can mobile money payments, bank transfers, merchant payments, and inward remittances be charged 1.75 percent? The policy is not retrogressive, not pro-poor, and does not support the much-touted digitalization agenda and cash-lite economy that we all yearn for.

Withdrawal of Agyapa; The NDC Minority will not support any collateralization of our revenues particularly mineral resources. The future of our country will be bleak if we continue in that regard. We cannot jeopardize the future generations of our country just for our present desires.

Provide for Tidal Waves Disaster; The Government should incorporate in its revised Budget adequate measures to address the issue relating to the Tidal Waves Disaster in Keta and other communities. The victims should be supported. And the Phase II of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project must find space in the Budget.

Properly re-construct the wording relating to the Aker Energy, and Relating to GNPC acquisition of stake from Aker Energy and AGM Petroleum, the revised Budget should reconstruct paragraph 829 of the rejected Budget to reflect the decision of the House as captured on 6th August, 2021Votes, and Proceedings of Parliament.

Review the Benchmark Value for Imports. Government should, in a revised Budget, reconsider paragraph 247 of the rejected Budget which sought to restore the Benchmark Values of imports by suspending the 50 percent discount on selected General Goods and the 30 percent discount on vehicles. Some concession should be given to the importers.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini