An Executive of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Ashanti region, Mr. Micheal Essel-Mills says President Akufo-Addo should review downward the salaries of Article 71 office holders in the country, Purefmonline.com reports.
The Nhyiaeso Constituency Secretary of the NPP in a short statement communicated via his official Facebook handle on March 19, and captured by Purefmonline.com, asserted that he finds it quite sad that many Ghanaians prefer the cancelation of some government flagship programs to accepting the proposed Electronic Transaction levy (E-levy).
He noted that, it will would be best for the President to initiate a bill to cancel gratuity enjoyed by some government appointees and Members of Parliament at the end of their service period.
“Very Sad! Some Ghanaians prefer the cancelation of: FSHS, NABCO, Trainee allowance, School feeding, LEAP, etc to be canceled rather than e-levy.
Well I agree. Mr. President, do it but, initiate a bill to cancel ex-gratia, reduce by 30% all Article 71 office holders and that (of) members of Parliament. This’ what I submit.” The NPP scribe wrote.
It remains unclear what necessitated his appeal but, Cousin to the President and a senior member of the ruling NPP, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, has proposed to Ghanaians to consider a national debate on whether the country should go back to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or rely on the proposed e-levy.
In a tweet last Thursday, Mr Otchere-Darko said Ghana is confronted with a tough decision to either accept the “IMF or E-Levy or both or none?”
He indicated in his tweet that the government’s post-COVID 19 recovery ‘Ghana CARES’ programme is hinging partly on the E-levy, which Parliament may not approve.
Source: Purefmonline.com II 2022
