Mr Otchere-Darko says the bad manner in which the National Democratic Congress (NDC) managed the economy, is what has called for "creative" and "intelligent" ways to manage the economy.
“Certainly, the reckless way the NDC ran down the economy in 8yrs (lest we forget), called for creative and intelligent measures to satisfy three things: manage the debt crisis; keep the state machinery running and; deliver on your own promises,” Mr Okyere Darko wrote on Facebook.
His comments come on the back of the controversy that has rocked the country following speculations that there may be an increase in VAT in the coming days.
Many NDC members have jabbed the government for what they describe as hypocrisy because President Akufo-Addo led the infamous ‘Kumepr?ko’ demonstration when the VAT was being introduced by the Jerry Rawlings-led administration.
Say a prayer for then 14 year old Ahunu Hongar and others who perished in a May 1995 demonstration called by Akufo Addo and his friends to violently protest the introduction of Value Added Tax in Ghana. Today, Akufo Addo as president is planning on increasing VAT. HYPOCRISY! pic.twitter.com/aSgllSxvoQ
— NDC Ghana (@OfficialNDCGh) July 15, 2018
Contributing to the raging debate, former president John Mahama wrote on Twitter that the proposed new taxes will cripple businesses in the country.
“The Ghanaian business sector has never experienced such difficult times in the history of the 4th Republic. Akufo-Addo's proposed new taxes would cripple businesses further and also defeat his much-touted mantra of from taxation to production," he wrote.
The Ghanaian business sector has never experienced such difficult times in the history of the 4th Republic. Akufo-Addo's proposed new taxes would cripple businesses further and also defeat his much-touted mantra of "from taxation to production".
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) July 13, 2018
But firing the former President, Gabby, who started the debate on the VAT asked Mr Mahama to keep mute since the government was only finding ways to clean the ‘havoc’ he [Mahama] caused to the economy.
“Certainly, the reckless way the NDC ran down the economy in 8yrs (lest we forget), called for creative and intelligent measures to satisfy three things: manage the debt crisis; keep the state machinery running and; deliver on your own promises…
…the Akufo-Addo government found a way in 2017, and will continue to find ways that will keep faith with the people of Ghana. Be in no doubt. And, please, can somebody out there tell John Mahama to shush! It is not his fault, though. The NPP has been kind to him on the havoc he caused to the economy” he wrote.
Some NPP Members of Parliament have also not let out the possibility of the tax increment with Ofoase-Ayirebi MP, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah saying Ghanaians will rally behind any plans of government to raise revenue.
“Moving forward, if it becomes necessary, and it is becoming necessary that we raise more revenue to ensure that we complete what remains of the agenda, I think it is an argument that the people of Ghana, as adduced from evidence, will rally behind when it is eventually rolled out,” said.
Veteran journalist Abdul Malik Kweku Baako also told Evans Mensah on Newsfile Saturday that the percentage of the increment is what will inform his decision to support or oppose same. Read Full Story
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