Hot!
John Mahama calls out government over failed campaign promise
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-23-at-8.00.08-AM.jpeg&description=John Mahama calls out government over failed campaign promise', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/WhatsApp-Image-2023-05-23-at-8.00.08-AM.jpeg&description=John Mahama calls out government over failed campaign promise', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
Former president John Dramani Mahama has called out the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for failing to stick to its campaign promise of taxing businesses less and increasing production.
Speaking at the 7th Ghana CEO Summit and Expo in Accra on Monday May 22, 2023, he said excessive taxing of businesses has seen some companies close down, while others have relocated to neighbouring countries.
Mr Mahama stated that “Having family and friends who own businesses, I know about the endless tax audits dating back several years that you continue to face. The call to appear at EOCO (the Economic and Organized Crime Unit), the harassment over social security payments, multiple fees and charges for clearing imports and exports at the ports, etc.”
“Indeed, there are many of you today who use the free port of Lome to import your goods and track them all the way into Ghana because of the plethora of fees and charges that we have at our ports. In any case, who can tell me what happened to the famous mantra, and I quote ‘from taxation to production? There is dwindling production and gargantuan taxation.”
Mr Mahama indicated that despite the taxes the government has placed on businesses, the conditionalities of the government’s programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will see many more businesses face some challenges going forward.
He said the government did not only fail to increase production and aid businesses but has also caused Ghana to lose its position as the best place to do business in West Africa.
Mr Mahama berated government officials for lying to Ghanaians with “doctored fiscal and budget data” about the state of the economy last year, only to run to the IMF to seek a bailout.
“The higher tax burden imposed recently and the government’s agreements with IMF to remove the majority of VAT and duty exemptions is a very challenging environment for businesses that have decided to remain in Ghana despite the poor investment climate that has been created by this administration.”
“Government’s agreement with the fund to increase electricity and water tariffs quarterly creates an additional burden. And let’s face it as captains of industry, you know that Ghana has lost her pride of place as the best place to do business in West Africa. The flowers that attracted you to set up your businesses in Ghana are gradually withering away,” he said.
Mr Mahama promised that if elected into office, his government will ensure meaningful partnerships with the private sector both domestic and foreign for sustainable growth, to unleash the potential of the private sector to contribute its share to uplifting the Ghanaian economy.
“I do not see the private sector as merely an avenue to fund our taxes,” he noted.
Source: Myjoyonline
General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.
He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.
Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.
“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.
He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.
“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.
His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.
The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.
The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.
In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.
The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.
According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.
UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.
The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.
It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.
UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.
The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.
The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.
Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.
By: Jacob Aggrey
