Features
Taxation
Today, I focus on taxation. Taxes are the backbone of the economy of a country. Through taxes countries increase revenue for development.
Taxes are used generally to support education, in the building of schools and other educational facilities, paying salaries of public workers, to provide health services, build other infrastructure such as roads, etc.
Widening the tax net
Governments always try to widen the tax net in order to raise more revenue to be able to provide public services to their citizens and for nation building.
There are different kinds of taxes in different countries. Most advanced countries have strong mechanisms to capture majority of the population in the payment of taxes.
African countries and other less developed ones are generally seen as having tax systems with loopholes and tax exemptions that allow many potential tax payers to evade being taxed.
Attitude towards taxes
Paying taxes can be something that people may not freely do if they had their way. Even in the advanced countries, not everyone is thrilled about paying taxes.
Education by the authorities can help people, especially the common folks, about the benefits of taxation.
And many people find consolation in the fact that the taxes they pay enable a wide array of public services available to citizens.
Translating taxes into benefits (public services)
In Finland, parliamentary elections are conducted every four years and one of the key issues voters always have in mind is the relationship between taxes and public services (see https://finland.fi).
It is said that regardless of the government’s agenda, taxation works within a Nordic tradition of egalitarianism and highly organised pragmatism.
This makes the appetite for the public services to continue in the people.
Members of the Ghanaian Diaspora groups can attest to the different number of taxes they pay in the countries where they live.
They can easily narrate their expertise or experiences in those places.
The E-levy and accountability
Recently, I was thinking about the E-levy and the brouhaha it generated in Ghana, and I can say that my worry was not with whether it would be passed or not.
Rather, I prayed that should it be passed then the real concern for people in our dear country Ghana should be how to ensure that the authorities are truthful about using the revenue that would accrue from it judiciously to provide public services.
I have been thinking about how to discourage the few selfish folks from misappropriating the resources.
I feel that people should rather be educated or encouraged to hold the authorities accountable for every pesewa that comes out of the levy.
No new tax will ever wholly go down well with people. But the trend is always that after the introduction of a new tax and with time people start to change their attitudes once they see that their taxes are being used properly for public services and nation building.
As I have indicated already, I think this should be one of the key concerns for people — how to closely monitor and ensure that the revenue from the levy is used judiciously not misapplied. Thank you!
The writer is a Ghanaian lecturer at the University of Helsinki, Finland
By Perpetual Crentsil
I experienced something on Monday, June 15, that really frustrated me. I had to go to the ministries but I could not get up early that day so I decided to pick a taxi and get to the Tuba Junction.
When I got there I realised that Traffic had built up from the Toll Booth towards Accra. After a while I got a Taxi and it was when we got to a certain spot on the road, that I realised why there was a traffic jam.
There is a short stretch of the road where each time it rains heavily, loose material run down the hill onto the road, blocking one side of the road. Vehicles from Kasoa to Accra are then forced to move into one of the lanes of those going towards Kasoa from Accra.
The two lane road from Accra to Kasoa becomes a single carriage way. That was the reason for the traffic jam from the toll booth onwards.
This has been a perineal problem and yet, no permanent solution has been found till date. The area falls under Ga South and even though, a new MCE has taken over, the technocrats are still there and so the problem is not new to them.
There is therefore no excuse for the inability of the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly to resolving the problem on that stretch of the road. Apart from the Ga South Metropolitan Assembly, another institution that must be held accountable is the Ghana Highways Authority.
The Highways Authority cannot say they are unaware of this issue. The fact that the problem falls within the area of responsibility of the Ga South Assembly, does not relieve the Ghana Highways Authority, of their responsibility of ensuring that our highways are maintained in a motorable state at all times.
A collaboration between the Ghana Highways Authority and The Ga South Municipal Assembly is required for a permanent resolution of the problem.
There was another traffic jam at a place called Atala about 250 metres to the traffic light at Old Barrier as a result of an issue similar to the one close to the toll booth, that I talked about earlier.
When we got to Weija junction, we encountered another traffic jam. The cause of this jam was a bad condition of road about 80 metres from the traffic light at Ga South Hospital heading towards Accra.
Due to the bad nature at that section of the road, vehicles are compelled to slow down resulting in a traffic jam stretching all the way to Weija Junction.
I started wondering if that short stretch of road cannot be sorted on one Sunday when traffic is usually light. When we got to the traffic light at Odorkor, there was another issue.
When the traffic light shows green, there is a slow down because there is a big pothole or should I say manhole in the outer lane, right at the traffic light. Vehicles in the outer lane are compelled to swerve into the second lane thereby causing a traffic to slow down and resulting in a traffic jam.
It is very important to take into account the effect of traffic jam on the national economy. If we are able to assess the value of the loss to the economy of the nation, I believe the issue of traffic jam will be prioritised.
Imagine persons working at various Government Organisations like Registrar General’s Department, Ghana Ports and Habours Authority, Ghana Revenue Authority, CEPS etc. and lives at Kasoa and whose job is to collect revenue for the state and is held up in traffic.
Just imagine the effect their lateness to work will have on the economy if you consider the delays in say clearing of goods at the port and as a result traders cannot sell their goods for government to generate the required taxes.
Let us deal with the traffic jams on our streets to promote economic growth. God bless.
By Laud Kissi-Mensah
Mortality is an inherent aspect of life, a universal experience that has sparked philosophical, theological, and scientific inquiry throughout human history.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of mortality, acknowledging the complexity of the topic and the diverse perspectives surrounding it.
The biological imperative
From a biological standpoint, death is a natural part of the life cycle. It serves as a mechanism for the evolution of species, allowing for the passing on of genetic material and the adaptation to environmental changes.
Evolutionary perspective: Death allows for the recycling of resources, promoting the survival and adaptation of species.
Life span and senescence: Cellular aging and the limitations of biological systems contribute to mortality.
Philosophical and existential perspectives
Existentialism: Emphasises individual freedom and responsibility in the face of mortality.
Meaning and purpose: The finite nature of life can prompt individuals to seek meaning and purpose.
The human condition: Mortality is a fundamental aspect of the human experience, shaping our perceptions and values.
Cultural and spiritual views
Afterlife and spirituality: Many cultures and religions believe in an afterlife or spiritual continuation.
Rituals and mourning: Cultural practices surrounding death reflect the significance of mortality in human experience.
Legacy and remembrance: The impact of one’s life can transcend mortality.
Ethical considerations
End-of-life care: Ethical debates surround issues like euthanasia, assisted dying, and palliative care.
Quality of life: Balancing the value of life with the quality of life is a complex ethical issue.
Resource allocation: Societal decisions about healthcare and resource distribution involve considerations of mortality.
Psychological impact
Grief and loss: The experience of mortality can evoke profound emotional responses.
Fear and anxiety: The awareness of mortality can lead to existential anxiety.
Appreciation and gratitude: Recognising mortality can foster appreciation for life.
Conclusion
Mortality is a multifaceted aspect of human existence, influencing how we live, relate, and find meaning. Understanding and acknowledging mortality can prompt deeper reflections on life and our place in the world.
By Robert Ekow Grimmond-Thompson
