Minority Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament(MP) for North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has served notice to members of the majority and government that the war on the passage of the E-levy bill is not over yet.
He says the minority does not see the bill as passed.
Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, Hon Ablakwa pointed out that for several months, the minority have stood by Ghanaians in fiercely resisting the e-levy amidst "government's desperation to impose the most unpopular tax policy of the Fourth Republic" by hook or crook.
"It is blatant lie that some members of the majority are arguing that we did not add up as minority in the House. We had all our members present even when they wanted to take some away for a programme far in the North.
"It is they the majority rather that did not have all their Members of Parliament present in the House during the passage of the bill. Sarah Adwoa Safo as at now has not returned to the country and the other Member of Parliament who was brought in by an ambulance was not even present in the chamber," he said.
The North Tongu MP further accused government of "insensitive" for compromising the safety and welfare of a sick member for political expediency.
"If anyone doubted the stubborn insensitivity of this government, just look at the extent they went to violating the dignity of their own extremely sick colleague MP by dragging him to the precincts of Parliament in an ambulance. That is not a superior political tactic, it is heartless politics without regard for human life. Politics must not be this ugly and barbaric."
"We can assure the people of Ghana that the war against the E-Levy isn’t over and we are not about to give up. Indeed, we are only warming up. This is the battle of our lives," he added.
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E-Levy Passed
Parliament has passed the Electronic Transfer Levy Bill in the absence of the Minority MPs, who had walked out before the Bill was considered at the second reading stage.
The Minority had complained that it had been taken by surprise by the unexpected consideration of the levy.
The E-levy was not listed in Parliament’s business statement for this week.
The Minority MPs later walked out of Parliament before the second reading of the Bill after debating it.
Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected]
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So unfortunate... War? Really? Move on... Ghanaians have accepted it. Your interest is to stiffle the Govt as you know this will only make more bleak your chances of returning to power. If you come to.power, u can set the E Levy aside - will be keeping an eye on your stance then. The current Govt say they need it to run the economy. They have the people's vote. So just move on... We are tired of you lot...
You are over, Ablakwa!
Ablakwa don’t want anyone to touch his ex-gratia but pretends as if he cares for Ghanaians. All that he and his colleagues are doing is to prevent the government from raising money for their economic activities and not because Ghanaians will suffer. After all Ghanaians will have the opportunity to vote against NPP for passing e-levy if it’s not good. Why is NDC so worried?
What is war about this? You are in parliament to represent the people who voted for you. You claim the E-Levy is not acceptable because it will bring untold hardships on the very person who voted you. Instead of you to stay on the floor of parliament and vote and ensure the bill is not passed you walk out for it to go through and then you turn round telling us it will be war. War for what. The entire bunch on NDC parliamentarians are irresponsible to the core. If they had been responsible and know their responsibilities to the voters they would have stayed on and rather "war" to stop the bill from been passed. Ablakwa should not think by making those comments he will earned political points. Shame on you all.
What is war here? It has been passed, period. Come to terms with this and concentrate on other jobs in parliament.