Builsa South MP Dr Clement Apaak, has criticised Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, a member of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) for asking former President John Mahama to shush, as far as the economy is concerned.
Following reports by the Daily Statesman newspaper on Friday, 13 July 2018 that the Akufo-Addo government was considering increasing VAT from 17.5% to 21.5%, Mr Mahama tweeted: “The Ghanaian business sector has never experienced such difficult times in the history of the 4th Republic. Akufo-Addo's proposed new taxes would cripple businesses further and also defeat his much-touted mantra of ‘from taxation to production’”.
In response to Mr Mahama’s tweet, Mr Otchere-Darko, nephew to President Akufo-Addo, also wrote on social media: “Certainly, the reckless way the NDC ran down the economy in 8yrs (lest we forget), called for creative and intelligent measures to satisfy three things: manage the debt crisis; keep the state machinery running and; deliver on your own promises. The Akufo-Addo government found a way in 2017, and will continue to find ways that will keep faith with the people of Ghana. Be in no doubt. And, please, can somebody out there tell John Mahama to shush! It is not his fault, though. The NPP has been kind to him on the havoc he caused to the economy”.
The Ghanaian business sector has never experienced such difficult times in the history of the 4th Republic. Akufo-Addo's proposed new taxes would cripple businesses further and also defeat his much-touted mantra of "from taxation to production".
— John Dramani Mahama (@JDMahama) July 13, 2018
Responding to Mr Otchere-Darko’s Facebook riposte to Mr Mahama, Dr Apaak wrote in defence of the former president thus: “Gabby says what? Your Uncle NADAA and his side kick said they will not borrow, yet have borrowed so much with nothing to show for it! He said he will fight corruption but has become a clearing agent and a facilitator, view #12! Has any dam been constructed, has any factory been established, has any constituency received one million dollars? Your Uncle and his side kick said they will move Ghana from taxation to productivity, yeah, GUTA agreed, AGI agreed, Importers and Exporters agreed, Bankers and Telcos agreed, the Asante Business Association agreed. You got power and you are doing the direct opposite, they are complaining. What do you do, you decide to impose more taxes in the coming days and you say JM should what? Why have you not responded to all these groups? What impunity! Tell me anything fundamentally new your Uncle and your NPP has to show! All you know is to rebrand, relaunch and recommission. Your Uncle appointments, in consultation with your good self, as many belive, 110 ministers, 988 Presidential Staffers, Several CEOs and thier bus loads of deputies, and a staggering numbers of personal aides and assistants, and you say what? Why should Ghanaians tighten thier belts by enduring tax increases when you and your posse are feeding fat at the expense of the tax payer? So much for prudent management and fighting corruption! So much for protecting the public purse! As former President Kuffour said at your recent event in Koforidua, power can corrupt, power is tricky! Keep dreaming!”
