As the E-levy is set to be implemented, Ghana’s former Finance Minister has urged the government to recognize that the country is going through hardship.
Kwesi Botchwey, Ph.D. Kwesi Botchwey also stated that the administration must pay attention to and resolve the major problems made by the Minority in Parliament in opposition to the planned E-levy.
“We are in crisis and the opposition have raised concerns on the effects it [E-Levy] would have on the cashless society we want to have, and also the hardship it will bring upon the vulnerable. Let us get to recognise that the concerns of the opposition are critical issues by engaging in transparent and respectful conversations.”
“Now, the first solution to this is to recognise that we have a problem. If you’re telling the public that things are cool, we have never had it like this, we have done better than anybody in the past, if you are professing hubris, it tells that you do not have a problem.”
“Speaking this way gives you no stance to collecting monies from the people, no matter the exemption given it, I’m not saying we should panic, but standing comfortably and smiling as if the house is not on fire is terrible, and shouldn’t be done,” he said at a public lecture on Monday March 7 organized by the One Ghana Movement.
