The possible repeal of the betting tax by President John Dramani Mahama has been fiercely opposed by the Institute of Community Sustainability.

Given the potential harm to Ghana's youth, the institution asked the president to reevaluate this choice.

When they made their response, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson promised to remove the E-levy and the betting tax from his first budget if it is approved.

Speaking on Monday, January 13, before the Appointments Committee of Parliament, Dr. Forson made the case that the current betting tax should be repealed since it has not succeeded in achieving its goals.


As Finance Minister, Dr. Forson stated, "I insist that the betting tax be abolished and I will abolish it in my first budget because it has failed."

With only four mental health facilities and no sports psychologists, the Institute of Community Sustainability said in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Eric Jerry Aidoo, that "in a country with a population of 32 million, we face significant challenges in providing adequate mental health support." Instructing our young people to bet would make these problems worse.

The government should keep or raise the betting tax rather than eliminate it in order to deter underage gambling. The money raised by this tax may be used to build psychiatric hospitals that would offer much-needed mental health care in every area.

The statement added that Ghana’s youth deserve better than the false promise of quick riches through betting.

“They need sustainable job opportunities and support to thrive. We will take to the streets to demonstrate our opposition to the abolition of betting tax if necessary. We call on President Mahama to prioritize the well-being and future of Ghana’s youth.”