The National Democratic Congress, NDC, says its utterly appalled by the decision of President Akufo-Addo’s government to reverse the benchmark value discounts on some selected imported goods.
The reversal of benchmark value discounts which took effect from January 4, 2022, is a policy which will adversely affect the living conditions of Ghanaians, irrespective of their social, economic status, as well as political affiliation.
Addressing the media in Accra, the National Communication Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, stated that the decision by the government to reverse the benchmark value discounts comes at a time when Ghanaian businesses, startups, parents and households are reeling under a yoke of excessive taxation, persistent increases in fuel prices and high cost of living never before witnessed in the history of the country.
He explained that prices of the affected items, including poultry, animal products (meat), fish, rice, sugar, pasta, vehicles and spare parts among others, will all go up by between 30 to 50 percent in the coming days.
Mr Gyamfi, added that these increases which will eventually be passed on to Ghanaians will further escalate prices of general goods and services in the country and exacerbate the severe hardships Ghanaians are already reeling under.
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This according to him will ultimately increase the cost of doing business in the country, negatively affect turnover of businesses and the volume of trade in the country which will eventually leads to the collapse of many businesses and jobs in the country.
He pointed out that the catastrophic decision has been occasioned by the self-inflicted economic malaise Ghanaians presently find themselves in, with the economy in tatters which the government unable to find money to do anything.
“We in the NDC are left in no doubt whatsoever that this latest decision by government to reverse discounts on benchmark values of imported goods, further accentuates Dr. Bawumia’s place as the most deceitful Politician in Ghana’s history”. He stated.
“Furthermore, the reversal of benchmark value discounts on selected imported goods reinforces our long-held view that this Akufo-Addo-Bawumia/NPP government is an insensitive and callous administration which does not have the wellbeing of the Ghanaian people at heart”. Mr Gyamfi added.
The NDC National Communications Officer expressed his displeasure at the misplaced priorities of the government’s continuous waste of the public purse on the opulent lifestyle of the President and his government of family and friends in this time of economic difficulties.
Mr Gyamfi emphasized that revenue has never been a problem for the President Akufo-Addo government rather chunk of the unprecedented revenues is spent on consumption-related expenditures such as the rental of hyper-expensive luxurious jets to satisfy the comfort of President Akufo-Addo.
He pointed out that Ghanaians have had enough of the deception and callousness of the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia government adding that the NDC holds the view, that this is not the time for more taxes and draconian revenue measures such as the reversal of benchmark value discounts.
Mr Gyamfi stated that enough of the wastage and ostentation being displayed by President Akufo-Addo and his government only to turn around and impose hardship on the Ghanaians.
He, therefore, called on Ghanaians to come together as one people irrespective of their social and political background to resist the draconian measures of the failed Akufo-Addow-Bawumia government which will only worsen their living conditions, should they be allowed to stand.
By: Paul Mamattah
