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We never collected Betting Tax – Dr.Amin Adam, former Finance Minister
Former Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Karaga, Dr.Amin Adam has shockingly revealed that the erstwhile New Patriotic Party Administration did not collect any betting tax.
It would be recalled that the betting tax, introduced under the previous government, imposed a 10% withholding tax on winnings from sports betting and lottery.
However, during a press briefing by the minority after the 2025 budget presentation, former Finance Minister Dr.Amin Adam said it was unconscienable for the government to say it has abolished the betting tax.
He said, “Ladies and gentlemen, the betting tax that they said they have abolished, we never collected betting tax.”
“we never implemented the betting tax. So to come and tell Ghanaians you have abolished something that was not implemented is to deceive the people of Ghana,” the former Finance Minister shockingly revealed.
When the tax was introduced, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) outlined that this withholding tax will be automatically deducted at the point of payout for all betting, games, and lottery wins.
The tax was expected to enhance domestic tax revenue mobilization, considering Ghana’s comparatively low tax-to-GDP ratio within the sub-region.
However, the new tax initiative , since its inception, has faced criticism from the younger generation in Ghana, who argue that betting and lottery winnings often serve as alternative income sources for the unemployed.
Ghanaian music icon, Akwasi Poku Addae, known in Showbiz circles as Kwaisey Pee has honoured his promise to children suffering from cancer.
Ahead of his 25th anniversary event held at the D’ Icon Event Centre at East Legon last year, he made a promise to donate some funds to children suffering from cancer.
True to his word, the musician has recently made a donation of GHC50,000 to the Paediatric Oncology Unit of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.
He told the Ghanaian Times that children are so dear to him, and was optimistic the support would go a long way too impact lives.
The music dynamo also promised that the gesture will not be the last,” it will be a continuous feature from me.”
He also called on Ghanaians home and abroad to lend a helping hand to children suffering from cancer.
According to him, children with cancer have many needs, and a helping hands will go a long way ease the suffering.
“Cancer treatment is very expensive, and leaving that to parents of the children alone, will be a huge burden, with support from you and myself, we can make some changes in other people’s lives,” he concluded.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
A disagreement has emerged between Member of Parliament for Berekum West, Dickson Kyere-Duah, and energy consultant Kwadwo Poku over government funding for Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The debate centred on government’s decision to budget about 13 million dollars to support the national team, even though FIFA is expected to provide an appearance fee of about 10.5 million dollars if Ghana qualifies for the tournament.
During the discussion on Joys news , Mr Poku questioned why the government should allocate such an amount when FIFA already provides funds to participating countries.
According to him, the appearance fee alone should help cover some of the country’s expenses.
He argued that if FIFA is giving Ghana 10.5 million dollars simply for qualifying for the tournament, it raises questions about the need for the government to appropriate additional funds.
Mr Kyere Duah, however, explained that the government’s allocation was part of advance planning captured in the national budget even before the final qualification results were known.
He noted that the budget for the tournament period was prepared in November 2025, when it was not certain that Ghana would qualify.
He stressed that budgeting does not automatically mean the entire amount will be spent.
According to him, the funds are meant to prepare the team from the start of the competition period until the end of the tournament.
Mr Kyere Duah explained that if the team exits the tournament early, the full amount allocated in the budget will not be used.
Mr Poku maintained that FIFA already provides financial support to teams for participating in the World Cup and insisted that the government must clearly justify additional spending.
The discussion extended to the role of the Ghana Football Association in managing the national teams.
Mr Poku described the association as a private institution and argued that FIFA also operates as a private body that does not allow government interference.
He explained that FIFA provides funds to teams to support their preparation and participation in the tournament.
Mr Kyere Duah, however, maintained that national teams represent the country and require government support to operate effectively.
By: Jacob Aggrey
