Mr Speaker, condemnation not enough

Mr Alban Bagbin

 Dear Editor,

Somewhat last week, I heard the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Alban Bagbin, condemning the imposition of taxes on sanitary pads. This was after a group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) had submitted a petition asking the government to scrap the levy.

The Speaker expressed his dis­pleasure on the Floor of the House and questioned why the tax had been imposed in the first instance. Apart from Mr Bagbin, I watched the Member of Parliament for Ketu South, Madam Dzifa Gomashie, also lament over the same issue. Listen­ing to the MP’s remarks and that of the Speaker, a lot of questions came to mind.

I believe the proposal (bill) to impose tax on sanitary pads went through Parliament and was approved subsequently. If this, in­deed, was the case, why didn’t the Speaker and other parliamentarians ‘block’ the passage of the bill?

If there was anything MPs could have done to stop the enactment of the law but failed to do so, then I should say the ‘hardship’ and ‘in­convenience’ experienced by ladies regarding this subject, can partly be blamed on our elected represen­tatives.

Moving forward, I believe it is not enough for the Speaker to condemn the existing tax on the Floor of Parliament. Citizens would be grateful if he does what it takes to help abolish the 12.5 per cent Value-Added Tax (VAT) and the 20 per cent import tax on the essen­tial product.

Beyond the reversal, efforts should be made to give incentives to local manufacturers to produce more to help reduce the exorbitant prices. It is my humble plea that the Speaker and other Members of Parliament put their words to action.

Mary Konadu Asante.
Adentan- Frafraha,
Accra.