Alhassan Suhuyini, a Member of Parliament for Tamale North, has questioned President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-choice Addo’s to respond quickly in response to concerns made about the reversal of the benchmark policy, but has been silent on the E-levy.
The E-levy, according to Suhuyini, sparked significantly more alarm than the reversal of benchmark policy. However, he said that the President has been silent on a contentious budget proposal that has polarized Ghanaians.
On Monday, January 10, he said on TV3’s New Day show with Johnnie Hughes, “What have people been calling for on the e-levy?” Consultations. Stakeholders have been clamoring for a meeting. The president has said that the benchmark policy will be suspended for consultation, but he has remained mute on the e-levy.
“Everyone has always been ready,” he responded when asked if his party in the House is ready to engage on the E-levy plan. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo led demonstrations against VAT, but the democratic government of the day, despite being led by a military ruler, suspended it and engaged in consultations before passing it, which is now contributing to the payment of luxury jets that the president, who campaigned against it, flies.”
The reversal of the benchmark policy has been put on hold by President Akufo-Addo.
This was done in order to allow for more consultations.
After a significant discussion with other stakeholders, the Finance Ministry agreed to additional engagement on the discounted benchmark reversal, prompting the president’s directive.
Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta, trade union representatives, Customs, and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) all attended the meeting on Thursday, January 6 to discuss “acceptable values for importation.”
The reversal was set to affect 143 goods from the Ghana Revenue Authority’s three categories.
For several commodities, the benchmark value, which is the amount taxable on imports, was cut by 50%. The government thought that by increasing the volume of transactions, Ghana’s ports would become more competitive.
After facing resistance from the Association of Ghana Industries and the Ghana Union of Traders Association, the government decided to reverse its decision (GUTA).
However, trade unions such as the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) and the Ghana Importers and Exporters Association (IEG) opposed it (IEAG).
