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Tax waiver on electric cars useless; how many people use it in Ghana? – Ato Forson
The Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has continued his bastardization of the government’s 2024 budget statement describing some of the tax waivers as useless, after tagging the general statement as empty.
The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta during his presentation of the 2024 budget statement in Parliament last week Wednesday announced some measures to cushion Ghanaians.
Some reliefs prioritized by the government include the extension of the zero rates of VAT on locally manufactured African prints, removal of taxes on locally produced sanitary pads and locally assembled vehicles, as well as waivers on import duties for electric vehicles and agricultural machinery.
To address environmental concerns, Mr Ofori-Atta also announced the government’s plan to expand the Environmental Excise Duty to cover plastic packaging, industrial emissions, and vehicle emissions.
But speaking on the Monday edition of PM Express on JoyNews, the Ajumako Enyan-Essiam MP, who analyzed each of the tax reliefs announced in the budget, singled out the waiver on import duties for electric vehicles describing it as useless.
In the view of the MP, only a handful of Ghanaians use electric vehicles in the country, while there are very few electric charging ports for users.
“Let me make this point, I don’t know how many vehicles in Ghana are electric. Where are the charging ports? How many Ghanaians will benefit from it? Useless “he stated.
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Tax waiver on electric cars useless; how many people use it in Ghana? – Ato Forson
Source: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie
21 November 2023 3:06am
The Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has continued his bastardization of the government’s 2024 budget statement describing some of the tax waivers as useless, after tagging the general statement as empty.
The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta during his presentation of the 2024 budget statement in Parliament last week Wednesday announced some measures to cushion Ghanaians.
Some reliefs prioritized by the government include the extension of the zero rates of VAT on locally manufactured African prints, removal of taxes on locally produced sanitary pads and locally assembled vehicles, as well as waivers on import duties for electric vehicles and agricultural machinery.
To address environmental concerns, Mr Ofori-Atta also announced the government’s plan to expand the Environmental Excise Duty to cover plastic packaging, industrial emissions, and vehicle emissions.
But speaking on the Monday edition of PM Express on JoyNews, the Ajumako Enyan-Essiam MP, who analyzed each of the tax reliefs announced in the budget, singled out the waiver on import duties for electric vehicles describing it as useless.
In the view of the MP, only a handful of Ghanaians use electric vehicles in the country, while there are very few electric charging ports for users.
“Let me make this point, I don’t know how many vehicles in Ghana are electric. Where are the charging ports? How many Ghanaians will benefit from it? Useless “he stated.
It is to encourage the use of semi-knocked-down electric cars. We live in an economy that we are even struggling to get power. How many cars in Ghana today are electric for them to say that we are giving tax exemption for electric cars? I don’t know if you own an electric car, I don’t own one. And go out and find out from people. As an MP, I don’t know of any individual or public transport that owns electric vehicles” he reiterated.
The MP told the Host Evans Mensah, that while the policy may be in anticipation of a shift in the future, it does not serve any useful purpose now and will not benefit Ghanaians in any way.
He said the government must first focus on creating the enabling environment for the use of electric vehicles instead of jumping the gun.
“So, it is looking at the future probably but is not giving something presently to the ordinary Ghanaian. What the government must do first of all is to create an enabling environment for electric vehicles. This [Tax waiver] is not. The one to create the enabling environment will be access to charging ports.
So if I bring an electric vehicle here to start using it, when I travel to Ajumako and for some reason I need to charge my vehicle, where are the charging ports? Which fuel station can I park in and charge my electric vehicle?” the MP quizzed.
If all of them are not available and you start saying that you are giving exemptions for the person who brings the vehicle, I need to use the vehicle here in Ghana to be sure that I can use it first. The government is doing the reverse because it is out of touch with the realities on the ground” he argued.
“What we need first is to create the environment for some fuel stations to convert the pumps into charging points, and create the environment for the ordinary Ghanaian to be able to benefit from it” he noted.
In September 2023, the Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, disclosed that the government is working on a policy framework to move public transportation from a dependence on petroleum fuels to electric vehicles.
“What we need first is to create the environment for some fuel stations to convert the pumps into charging points, and create the environment for the ordinary Ghanaian to be able to benefit from it” he noted.
In September 2023, the Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, disclosed that the government is working on a policy framework to move public transportation from a dependence on petroleum fuels to electric vehicles.
Credit: Myjoyonline.com
Ghana’s parliament has marked the 2nd edition of May Day 2026 under the theme “ Welcome Home”.
It was special day meant to celebrate the invaluable support of the workforce, recognizing the commitment, resilience, and contributions of workers to institutional growth and national development.
Delivering the message on behalf of the Speaker, the 1st Deputy Speaker, Bernard Ahiafor, described the theme as very apt, appropriate, and timely, noting that Parliament is more than a workplace, it is a shared home.
He emphasized that we cannot speak about work without speaking about people, reminding everyone that the true measure of our work is the well-being of our people.
He urged that our traditional clothing become an integral part of our everyday clothing, and that our local languages must become integral to our daily lives, interwoven into education and practiced at home.
Referencing Standing Order 63, which captures the use of local language as optional in deliberations, he encouraged a renewed commitment to identity, saying it is significant that we “come home” and present who we are so future generations can inherit a story they can fully tell.
The Clerk, Mr. Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror, in his remarks commended officers for their dedication and devotion to duty, calling on them to go the extra mile and leave legacies.
Echoing the reminder that an unexamined life is not worth living, he described the event as an invitation to reconnect with our roots through cultural revival.
The Deputy Clerk, C&FMS, Dr. Gloria Sarku Kumawu, urged all not to forget their roots, the people behind the stories of ministries, industries, and the strides made both in-house and beyond.
What began last year has now become a meaningful tradition, showcasing Ghanaian heritage, fostering unity, and encouraging innovation under the principle of diversity for unity and diversity for progress, she added.
The gathering brought together leadership, public officials, and staff across all levels, along with the media, standing as a unifying platform that honored service, celebrated culture, and reaffirmed a shared commitment to national development.
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Manhyia would serve as Ghana’s unifying force …Otumfuo assures on commemoration of 27 years on the Golden Stool
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last Friday celebrated his 27th enstoolment with a colourful and culture-rich ceremony at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, drawing a distinguished gathering of dignitaries from across Ghana and beyond.
Clad in splendid kente and adorned in rich traditional regalia, the dignitaries added colour and elegance to the occasion, as the palace grounds came alive with a vibrant display of Ghanaian culture.
Traditional drumming, dancing and symbolic rites underscored the deep-rooted heritage of the Ashanti Kingdom, captivating guests and reaffirming the value of tradition in modern society.
Speaking at a high-level Executive Gala organised by the Diaspora Affairs Office of the Office of the President in strategic partnership with the E ON 3 Group, the ‘World-Meets-in-Ghana’ gala, the Asantehene urged Ghanaians to guard against the divisive tendencies of partisan politics.
The event was to honour the Asantehene’s nearly three-decade reign under the theme ‘Advancing Peace and Sustainable Economic Development through Royal Vision’.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II noted that such attitudes threatened the country’s long-standing values of unity, civility and brotherliness.
He assured that Manhyia would continue to serve as a unifying force for the nation.
The celebration also featured the presentation of commemorative gold coins to notable national leaders, including the President, John Dramani Mahama, former Presidents John Agyekum Kufuor and Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, a former Vice President in recognition of their contributions to peace and national development.
By Spectator Reporter
