More than likely, the vice president would distance himself from a number of initiatives, most notably the onerous levies, such as the carbon levy and the value-added tax on electricity bills.
The Emissions Levy Act, 2023 (Act 1112), which places heavy levies on car owners, and the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) on family electricity bills, however, overshadow the excitement around this speech.
According to a letter released by the NPP, Dr. Bawumia’s speech on the theme of Ghana’s next chapter—”selfless leadership and bold solutions for the future”—will include surprises, as insiders have promised.
The vice president is probably going to distance himself from a lot of policies, particularly the one about exorbitant fees, like the pollution levy and the value-added tax on electricity bills.
Implemented by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on February 1, 2024, the Emissions Levy has led to an uproar among Ghanaians, particularly due to the substantial amounts some vehicle owners are required to pay annually. The taxes range from GH¢75 for motorcycles and tricycles to GH¢300 for cargo trucks and articulated trucks.
The last two levies, according to critics, would hurt the NPP’s standing prior to the elections in December 2024.
A number of governing party communicators have voiced their displeasure with Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, claiming he is mismanaging the economy and detracting from the NPP’s appeal to voters, who are already facing a number of challenges, including unemployment and economic hardship.
Leading party figures, including Members of Parliament (MPs) like Eugene Boakye Ntwi of Subin, Andy Kwame Appiah-Kubi of the Ashanti Region’s Asante-Akim North Constituency, and Samuel Atta Akyea of Abuakwa South, have publicly advised the Finance Minister to resign from the position due to his inadequate oversight and mishandling of the economy.
