Remove From Our Constitution MPs Holding Dual Positions As Ministers - Nana Ofori Owusu

PPP National Chairman, Nana Ofori Owusu, has commended the Legislature over its drama that occurred on Friday, November 26 regarding the 2022 budget.

The budget, which was presented by the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta on Wednesday, November 17, forecasts the expenditure and policies of the government.

One key policy that has generated lots of controversies following its announcement by the Minister is the e-levy which is a tax on all electronic transactions.

Starting in January next year, all Ghanaians will be expected to pay a 1.75% tax on their mobile money and bank transfers.

The e-levy, according to the Minister, ''will be used to support entrepreneurship, youth employment, cyber security, digital and road infrastructure among others''.

"Mr. Speaker, this new policy also comes into effect (once appropriation is passed) from 1st January, 2022. Government will work with all industry partners to ensure that their systems and payment platforms are configured to implement the policy," he added.

The Minority, on Friday, rejected it the budget after the Majority walked out of the House following a misunderstanding.

Discussing the issue, Nana Ofori Owusu believed the incident is a sign of Parliament asserting itself on matters without the intrusion of the executive body.

According to him, it is about time that the appointment of Members of Parliament to ministerial positions was expunged from the constitution because it weakens the authority of Parliament.

He wondered how the Legislators are to be effective in executing their duties when they hold dual positions.

"The President appointing 50+1 percent of his Ministers from Parliament, that thing must be abolished. It should be taken from the constitution. The legislature, as a body, has very powerful people; very [very] powerful people. But they become weakened when the Executive holds dual position as the legislature and as a executive at the same time," he expressed.

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