Lambussie, (UW/R), Nov 18, GNA – Some residents in the Lambussie District in the Upper West Region have expressed mixed reactions on the 2022 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of government presented by the Finance Minister, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta before Parliament on Wednesday.
While some described it as satisfactory, others described it as worrying especially with the introduction of new taxes including the 1.75 per cent Electronic transaction levy.
They expressed concerns about the government’s introduction of YouStart Entrepreneurship programme geared at tackling unemployment, Property Tax, Introduction of a 1.75 per cent Electronic transaction levy covering Mobile money payment, bank transaction, and merchant payment.
Speaking in separate interviews with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Appullah Godwin, a teacher said the budget was satisfactory saying, “I am happy that government is putting measures in place to revive the economy including; abolishing of road tolls and introducing an entrepreneurship programme to reduce the high youth unemployment”.
He said the Free SHS programme had helped a lot of school children and that the property rate taxation enforcement measures by government would help the MMDAs to generate enough revenue to build the economy.
Madam Suollo Anita, a business woman said prices of goods and services were high and the introduction of the new tax on the electronic transactions would worsen the situation of ordinary citizens.
“I do buy goods from Kumasi and Accra and most at times I use Momo to do my transactions with my business partners and if these charges are supposed to be deducted, it will affect my business” she said.
Mrs Cecilia Kombat, a NABCO beneficiary said she was not happy with the new taxes introduced, but expressed excitement with government intention of making sure NABCO beneficiaries who had not had any employment enrolled and secure jobs for them through the enterpreneurship programme yet to be introduced early next year.
“I am glad to hear that the YouStart Programme will help reduce the youth unemployment and it would enable we the youth to gain access to capital, training, technical skills, and mentoring to enable us operate our own businesses” she said.
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