Recently, the National Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) shared an intriguing proposal on his official X page formerly Twitter, put forward by the party’s flag-bearer regarding taxation. The proposal is called the “Tax Amnesty Stimulus Program for Jobs” and aims to provide amnesty to businesses to encourage them to invest more and create job opportunities. Under this plan, companies would benefit from reduced or even eliminated taxes, allowing them to redirect funds into their operations and workforce.
The main goals of this policy are clear: increase investments, create more jobs for the youth, and enable households to have more disposable income.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia proposes a Tax Amnesty of a different kind.
The key components are as follows:
a. full tax forgiveness of prior years’ unpaid taxes
b. full forgiveness of penalties and interest on prior years’ unpaid taxes
This is in effect a multi-prong Stimulus Programme:
a. for businesses to invest in expansion and create more jobs, and
b. for households to have more disposal income to stimulate demand for goods and services
This will “stimulate” the creation of millions of additional jobs.
With more money in their pockets, citizens could then spend more on goods and services, potentially stimulating the economy. On paper, this sounds like a promising initiative aimed at alleviating some financial pressure on Ghanaians while fostering economic growth.
However, the response from the public has not been overwhelmingly positive. Many Ghanaians have expressed skepticism about the Vice President’s sincerity and ability to deliver on this proposal. Some citizens pointed out that he has been instrumental in implementing various taxes that have added to the financial burdens they currently face. As a result, their faith in this new initiative is low, leading to significant backlash online.
Comments from concerned citizens reveal a widespread lack of trust. One user noted, “How can we trust a plan from someone who has been part of the problem?” Another mentioned, “It feels like a political gimmick rather than a genuine effort to help us.” These sentiments reflect a growing frustration among Ghanaians who are weary of policies that don’t seem to translate into tangible benefits.
In light of this proposal, it’s clear that while the intentions might be good, the past actions of leaders play a crucial role in shaping public opinion. The challenge now for the NPP and its flag-bearer is to rebuild trust and demonstrate that their plans will truly lead to positive change for Ghanaians.
As the conversation continues, it remains to be seen whether the Tax Amnesty Stimulus Program will gain traction or fade into the background of political promises.
What’s your take on this?
