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We’ll uncover GH¢11 billion in concealed taxes in the 2024 budget – Ricketts-Hagan

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These include extending the zero rate of VAT on locally manufactured African prints for two (2) more years, waiving import duties on electric vehicles imported for public transport for an eight-year period, waiving import duties on semi-knocked down and completely knocked down electric vehicles imported by registered EV assembly companies in Ghana for an eight-year period, and extending the zero rate of VAT on locally assembled vehicles for two (2) more years.

George Ricketts-Hagan, Member of Parliament (MP) for Cape Coast South, says the Minority caucus in Parliament would investigate the purported GH11 billion taxes buried in the government’s 2024 budget.

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, revealed eight tax reliefs the government aims to enact beginning next year when presenting the government’s 2024 budget in Parliament on Wednesday.

These include extending the zero rate of VAT on locally manufactured African prints for two (2) more years, waiving import duties on electric vehicles imported for public transport for an eight-year period, waiving import duties on semi-knocked down and completely knocked down electric vehicles imported by registered EV assembly companies in Ghana for an eight-year period, and extending the zero rate of VAT on locally assembled vehicles for two (2) more years.

Others included zero-rate VAT on locally produced sanitary pads, duty waivers for raw materials used in the local manufacture of sanitary pads, exemptions from the importation of agricultural machinery equipment and inputs, medical consumables, raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry, and a VAT flat rate of 5% to replace the standard VAT rate of 15% on all commercial properties, which will be implemented to simplify administration.

In an interview with Citi FM’s Eyewitness News, Mr Ricketts-Hagan stated, “We know there’s GH11 billion in taxes [in the budget], but it’s concealed, so we’ll unravel it… We’ll unwrap it in a few days and reveal where they’ve been buried.”

“…They have been disguised, and that was the whole idea… So we have to open it up.”

However, the Deputy Trades Minister, Dr. Stephen Amoah, refuted such claims and urged the Cape Coast South MP and the Minority to focus on things such as the tax reliefs intended by the government to be implemented “rather than look for [non-existent] areas to criticize.”

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Limited voter registration: Resolve all difficulties to ensure seamless procedure – NPP to EC

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“Today is day one and it is expected that all those who are of age, the EC must come clear to us and let us know what is really happening. I mean, as I said, we can’t work out this situation where people have moved from their homes to registration centres only to be treated in this manner. “It is the reason I am saying that the EC must walk the talk and let us know what the challenges are.”

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has encouraged the Electoral Commission (EC) to resolve the issues raised on the first day of the restricted voter registration drive.

The NPP voiced fear that unsolved flaws might result in voting disenfranchisement if not addressed.

On the first day of the 21-day voter registration process, there were reports of equipment failures and network issues around the country.

Evans Nimako, Director of Elections and Research for the NPP, stated that the EC must do what is appropriate to guarantee that all eligible voters are registered at the conclusion of the process.

“Today is day one and it is expected that all those who are of age, the EC must come clear to us and let us know what is really happening. I mean, as I said, we can’t work out this situation where people have moved from their homes to registration centres only to be treated in this manner.

“It is the reason I am saying that the EC must walk the talk and let us know what the challenges are.”

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I have trust in Bawumia to continue my excellent works – Akufo-Addo

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He cautioned that choosing John Dramani Mahama as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer will imperil his administration's achievements. "Also, after the voting period ends, our task is straightforward. The person I vanquished is dissatisfied with my efforts, thus I cannot hand up authority to them. "He will destroy everything we have done when he comes," he lamented. President Akufo-Addo urged Ghanaians to vote in large numbers for Dr. Bawumia in order to solidify his accomplishments in government. "I implore you to vote for the person with whom I have worked for the past seven and a half years. "I have faith in him, and I know he will come and finish the work I have started," he concluded.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged Ghanaians to vote for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia in the December elections.

He expressed confidence that Dr Bawumia would continue the good job that was begun during his government.

Speaking at a brief rally in Doboro, Eastern Region, after visiting Blue Skies Limited, President Akufo-Addo stated that his Vice President is the best choice to replace him.

He cautioned that choosing John Dramani Mahama as the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer would imperil his administration’s achievements.

“Also, after the voting period ends, our task is straightforward. The person I vanquished is dissatisfied with my efforts, thus I cannot hand up authority to them. “He will destroy everything we have done when he comes,” he lamented.

President Akufo-Addo urged Ghanaians to vote in large numbers for Dr Bawumia in order to solidify his accomplishments in government.

“I implore you to vote for the person with whom I have worked for the past seven and a half years. “I have faith in him, and I know he will come and finish the work I have started,” he concluded.

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Tina Mensah blames former MCE Patrick Kumor’s death on Akufo Addo

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"My late MCE did nothing to earn his dismissal; the only error he made was to back me, and I lost the primaries. "How can someone who been named the number one MCE at the national and regional levels be fired? He got various honours for his efforts as MCE. He was replaced without consulting me," she allegedly told Accra-based Onua TV/FM while visiting the grieving family to express her condolences.

Tina Ayele Mensah, a Weija-Gbawe Member of Parliament (MP), has conveyed her condolences on the tragic death of Patrick Kumor, the former Municipal Chief Executive (MCE).

Madam Mensah has ascribed Mr Kumor’s death to his removal from government in February 2024, which she says was not the wisest decision.

The MP said that the dead backed her re-election in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries.

“My late MCE did nothing to earn his dismissal; the only error he made was to back me, and I lost the primaries.

“How can someone who has been named the number one MCE at the national and regional levels be fired? He got various honours for his efforts as MCE. He was replaced without consulting me,” she allegedly told Accra-based Onua TV/FM while visiting the grieving family to express her condolences.

According to the member, Mr Kumor was unable to endure the news and recover from the shock.

“Patrick isn’t as powerful as me. I don’t mind if you fire me; but, Patrick is not like me. Patrick couldn’t stop thinking about his bag, and his blood pressure continued to rise. “‘Afei se asa’ (it is finished), Patrick is gone,” she stated.

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