Help rebuild the economy - Nana Addo appeals to Ghanaians

Kandey Alhassan March 24, 2021 0

President Nana Addo

 President Akufo-Addo has urged Ghanaians to assist the government in rebuilding the country's economy.

On Tuesday, March 23, 2021, he delivered a speech at the 11th Quadrennial Congress of the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

The President stated that the new taxes were necessary to sustain Ghana's economic recovery.

“These measures sustained the economy, restored some lost jobs and incomes, whilst opening windows of new opportunities for others. The time has now come for us to take the next set of actions required for the sustained recovery of the economy,” Akufo-Addo said.

“The truth of the matter is that we are not in normal times, and I appeal to all Ghanaians, including Organised Labour, to assist Government in this endeavour to help rebuild our public finances and economy.

“We need to mobilise additional resources to cater for the new challenges confronting us whilst meeting other statutory requirements.”

President Akufo-Addo has urged Ghanaians to bear with the government, claiming that the country's economic challenges will be resolved soon.

"I, therefore, urge all Ghanaian workers to bear with the government in these unusual and rather challenging times.

"I am confident that sooner, rather than later, and together, we can create the happy, progressive and prosperous nation we all desire,” he added.

While reading the budget on Friday, March 12, 2021, Finance Minister Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu announced a number of taxes to be levied on Ghanaians.

These taxes include a COVID-19 Health Levy; a 1% increase in the National Health Insurance Levy; and a 1% increase in the flat VAT rate.

There is also a 30 pesewas increase in fuel prices to cover excess power capacity charges [20 pesewas] and the Sanitation and Pollution Levy [10 percent].