The Institute of Community Sustainability has reiterated its strong opposition to President Mahama’s promise to remove tax on betting earnings.
This follows several instances of reiterations from the Mahama-led administration to scrape the tax component that a majority of the country’s youth have lamented.
During the vetting of Finance Minister-designate, Dr. Cassiel Ato-Forson, he expressed firm optimism about the president’s promise, arguing that if indeed, betting has become detrimental to the well-being of the youth as opined by the institution and others, then betting should be abolished rather than call for tax to be maintained on increased on its earnings.
According to him “the betting tax must be abolished, and as Finance Minister, I will abolish it in my first budget because it has failed.”
According to a press release by the institution, they will take to the streets to protest the initiative if it is implemented. To deter the youth, the community is advocating for an increase in the tax component in order to use its revenue to establish psychiatric hospitals in all regions.
Moreover, what the youth need is sustainable jobs and support to thrive, says the institution.
“Instead of abolishing the betting tax, we recommend that the government maintain or increase it to discourage youth betting. The revenue generated from this tax could be utilized to establish psychiatric hospitals in every region, providing much-needed mental health services.”
“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.”
Various institutions have lamented the proliferation of betting companies in Ghana. This is said to be taking a toll youth development, as scores of people are reported to be engaging in the activity.
The betting tax was introduced under the NPP-led government. This was not recieved kindly by the youth as they described it as unfair. In the heat-up to the 2024 election, the NDC, led by its flagbearer, now President Mahama promised to revoke the tax component if voted for.
Since his inauguration, the president has been inundated with calls to either maintain the tax or increase it to deter the youth. However, government officials have consistently assured that they will deliver on their campaign promise.
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