General News of Tuesday, 2 February 2016

Source: The Chronicle

'Gov’t borrowing because Ghanaians don’t pay taxes'

Alhaji Collins Dauda Alhaji Collins Dauda

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Alhaji Collins Dauda says the NDC government has resorted to excessive borrowing because Ghanaians have refused to honor their tax obligations.

According to him, governments all over the world depend on taxes for development, “but if the people are not prepared to pay taxes, must the country remain underdeveloped under the name of no money in the state purse? No.”

To him, the government has to source funds from other sources for the general improvement of the economy so that the end of the four year term, the president can account to the electorate.

He cited an example with the Biblical story in Mathew 25:14-30, where a landlord gave talents to his servants to do business according to their strength, while he travelled.

He came back and asked his servants to account to him individually.

The minister added that President John Dramani Mahama was focused and would not be detracted by the opposition’s continuous mocking and unnecessary noise about the loans he had acquired to improve upon the living conditions of the people of Ghana.

He also lamented on the springing up of many radio and TV stations in the country, which has given many people the chance to insult leaders and cast negative insinuations, all in the name of freedom of speech and expression.

“Ghana has been a peaceful country, but if we don’t control the negative comments and insults on our media platforms, it can bring conflict in to the country one day, as has happened in many countries in Africa”, he warned.

Collins Dauda made these comments at Acherensua in the Asutifi South District of the Brong Ahafo Region when he joined the Church of Pentecost to worship with them as their Member of Parliament.

The District pastor of the church, Isaac Bosompem Yamaoh, led his congregation to pray for the president and the government for wisdom to govern, and also for the general peace and security before, during and after election 2016.