A leading member of the Movement for Change, Solomon Owusu, has criticised former Minister of Finance Dr Mohammed Amin Adam for claiming that the previous government never implemented or collected the betting tax.

Reacting to the 2025 budget on TV3 New Day on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Solomon Owusu, a vocal critic of the former government, questioned how the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would have removed a tax they claimed was never implemented if they had won power.

He referenced the party’s 2024 manifesto, in which the tax promise was outlined, and reiterated by their presidential candidate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia.

“Yesterday, if you listened to the leading figures in the NPP, all of them were insisting that they never introduced the betting tax. But your candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, during the manifesto launch in Takoradi, said, ‘When given the opportunity, I will scrap the betting tax.’ Something that he himself introduced. If it didn’t exist, why did he say he was going to scrap it?” he questioned.

Owusu also voiced his strong support for the cancellation of the E-Levy by the government, describing it as a tax that, in his view, was an avenue to exploit citizens.

He criticised the rationale behind the former government’s decision to introduce such a tax.

“How many times did we say that the E-Levy wasn’t good for us? I have my money on my phone, and when transferring it to my old lady in the village, you take a portion. What work did you do to deserve that? It is theft, daylight robbery, and a lazy man’s approach,” he argued.

While acknowledging the need for government taxation, Owusu emphasised that he was not against taxation itself. However, he expressed disapproval of excessive taxes that burden citizens and hinder business growth.

“We need taxes to develop the country, but you must not overtax the people. If you do, entrepreneurs won’t be able to compete, as products will become too expensive, leading to a lack of demand and, ultimately, business collapse,” he concluded.

MAG/MA

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