Akuapim North MP rates Mahama’s 120-Day performance at 48%

The Member of Parliament for Akuapim North, Samuel Awuku, has rated President John Dramani Mahama’s performance at 48% following the President’s first 120 days in office, citing an analysis of 25 key promises made under what he describes as a “social contract” with the Ghanaian people.

The Member of Parliament disclosed that out of the 25 promises reviewed, the government has fully fulfilled 11, partially fulfilled 2, and failed to fulfill 12.

“Honestly speaking, what I have, the document that we have here  was technically about 25 promises, so let me stick to the 25 that I used for the analysis and I can see that they fulfilled 11. They also partially fulfilled 2 and they failed to fulfill 12, so if I’m able to do that analysis and comparatively, I think they score about 48%” He sadi.

 

The former Board Chair of the National Youth Employment Agency expressed concern over recent increases in utility tariffs, particularly a 14% hike in electricity and a 4% increase in water rates, arguing that these burden ordinary citizens despite the government’s reforms in other tax areas.

Samuel Awuku acknowledged the government’s move to scrap some taxes but criticized the lack of clarity surrounding others, such as the COVID-19 levy, and called for a more coherent approach to tax reform.

“Impose 14% tariff increase when it comes to electricity, they are also asking us  to also pay additional 4% on water. If I do not stake Loto, then I’m definitely not going to beaffected by 10% betting tax, again, if I do not engage in electronic transactions, there’s no way I’m going to suffer from this 1% E-Levy, whether it’s in place or not.

“However, getting access to power and light is no longer a luxury. I’m scoring them on the 1% E-Levy. I‘m also scoring them on the 10% betting tax but if you add it is 11%, but they are asking me to pay 14% increment in electricity, 4% for water. That is a clear case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“On the issue of the COVID-19 levy, I really do not understand what the government meant by saying that, oh, there’s a whole tax reforms and all that they are looking at but others were scrapped, so if you are going to take a holistic view of your taxes and how to reform the tax sector,  it’s a different matter.” He stated

Source: Elvisanokyenews.net