Read: NDC bites government deep in their recent press conference
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has described the reversal of benchmark value discounts as recklessness and punishment for Ghanaians According to the NDC, Ghanaians have had enough of the deception and callousness of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government. They said: “The NDC holds the view, that this is not the time for more taxes and draconian revenue measures such as the reversal of benchmark value discounts. We share in the view espoused by GUTA that the GRA withdraws the statement announcing this measure which will only go a long way to stifle the already burdened businesses in the country”. Below is the full statement: PRESS STATEMENT 5th January, 2022 INSENSITIVE AKUFO-ADDO/BAWUMIA GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO PUNISH GHANAIANS FOR THEIR ECONOMIC MISMANAGEMENT AND RECKLESSNESS AS THEY REVERSE DISCOUNTS ON BENCHMARK VALUES OF 44 CATEGORIES OF IMPORTED GOODS. Good afternoon distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the media. On behalf of the National Democratic Congress, I thank you for honoring our invitation at such short notice and welcome you to the National Headquarters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for this all-important press conference. Before we proceed further and given the fact that this presser is the first for the year 2022, I wish to on behalf of the leadership of the NDC extend to you, our friends from the media best compliments of the season and wish all those following this event across the length and breadth of Ghana, a very fruitful and prosperous new year. “Yema mo nyinaa afehyiapa”. Distinguished friends from the media, the NDC is utterly appalled by the decision of the insensitive Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to reverse benchmark value discounts on selected imported goods, effective yesterday, 4th January, 2022. The reversal of benchmark value discounts is a draconian policy which will adversely affect the living conditions of all us irrespective of our social backgrounds and political affiliations. It will be recalled that sometime in April 2019, government through Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia announced a 30% and 50% discount on the benchmark values of imported vehicles and general goods respectively. Sadly but unsurprisingly, government has decided to scrap these discounts on 44 categories of imported goods. This terrible decision comes at a time when the national currency is depreciating and world commodity prices are increasing at an alarming rate, with freight charges and port handling charges being extremely high. More importantly, the callous decision by government to reverse benchmark value discounts comes at a time Ghanaian businesses, startups, parents and households are reeling under a yoke of excessive taxation, persistent increases in fuel prices and high cost of living never before witnessed in the anals of our country. Ladies and gentlemen, what the decision to reverse benchmark value discounts effectively means is that, prices of the affected items such as; vehicles and spare parts, machinery, equipment and plants, aluminum finished products (roofing sheets), portland cement, cement paper bags, and clinker, poultry, animal products (meat), fish, rice, sugar, pasta, spaghetti, noodles and macaroni, pharmaceuticals (including drugs such as paracetamol, condoms etc.), toilet paper, facial tissue and towel, chocolate, toffees and chewing gum, palm oil (crude and refined oils), mosquito coils, ceramic tiles, tile cement, machetes, plastics, textile and textile articles, fruit juices, tomato paste and ketchup, furniture and parts, boxes of paper and paperboard cases of corrugated paper, iron steel bars, toilet soap and laundry bar soap, detergents washing powder, lubricating oil, soft drinks and carbonated drinks, biscuits/wafers, among others; will all go up by 30%- 50% in the coming days. These increases which will eventually be passed on to Ghanaians will further escalate prices of general goods and services in the country and exacerbate the severe hardships Ghanaians are already reeling under. This will ultimately increase the cost of doing business in the country, negatively affect turnover of businesses and the volume of trade in the country, and lead to the collapse of many businesses and jobs. In fact, the bitter reality is that, given the many draconian taxes that have been introduced by the callous Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government since April 2019 and the continuous depreciation of the Ghana Cedi which is already eroding profit margins and the capital of businesses, importers and Ghanaians in general will be worse off as a result of this decision. In short, import duties will be far higher than they were before April 2019 when the benchmark value discounts were introduced, in view of the continuous free fall of the Cedi and the raft of new crippling tax measures that government has introduced since April 2019. Ladies and gentlemen, we wish to make the point, that this catastrophic decision has been occasioned by the self-inflicted economic malaise we presently find ourselves in, with our economy in tatters and government simply unable to find money to do anything. After five (5) years of economic mismanagement and reckless election-driven spending, which have taken the country back to its HIPC days, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government has decided to punish the already-burdened Ghanaian people with more hardships for their own recklessness and mismanagement. This is why all manner of crippling taxes and killer revenue measures such as the reversal of benchmark value discounts are now being imposed on Ghanaians to shore up government’s revenue just to create an artificial picture of a sound economy in order to convince the investor community on more and more borrowing. We in the NDC are left in no doubt whatsoever that this latest decision by Government to reverse discounts on benchmark values of imported goods, further accentuates Dr. Bawumia’s place as the most deceitful Politician in Ghana’s history. It will be recalled that sometime in the year 2019, Dr. Bawumia was all over the place pontificating that Ghana’s Ports were one of the most expensive in the sub-region and that government had decided to introduce discounted benchmark values in order to facilitate more trade volumes, make our ports more competitive, reduce smuggling and increase government revenues from the Ports. Friends, the question that ought to
NDC does not want this country destroyed–Asiedu Nketia
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said the leadership of NPP came to Parliament to beg the NDC to allow them select a first deputy speaker and in the end, a word was sent from the Presidency that they are also begging, so, they agreed. According to Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia who was speaking at the 40th-anniversary commemoration of the 31st December Revolution in Accra, “NDC does not want this country destroyed, so, we agreed” “Still, they persisted and virtually begged us that they do not want to disgrace Ghana.” “Immediately, we agreed, the first statement that came from Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu after the swearing-in was that we begged them and that there was no election in Parliament to select a first deputy speaker.” “Those of you accusing NDC of not being interested in negotiations should listen carefully: As if that was not enough, immediately after the second deputy speaker was selected, he also addressed the press and declared his support for the NPP. “What does that mean?: That the NPP used trickery to select the two deputy speakers,” Asiedu Nketia said. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
E-levy fight: Akufo-Addo didn’t asked for my help—John Mahama
Former President John Mahama has said “President Akufo-Addo did not seek his intervention on the E-Levy impasse. He said: “I received Mr Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, at his request, at my residence on Tuesday, 21 December 2021”. Below is his Facebook post: President Akufo-Addo did not seek my intervention on the E-Levy impasse. I received Mr. Gabby Otchere Darko, at his request, at my residence on Tuesday 21st December, 2021 Among issues we discussed was the desire of Ghanaians to see the two major political parties working together for the interest of the nation We discussed, also, how dialogue can be deployed to ensure Parliamentary issues are agreed consensually before coming on the floor to avoid what happened recently in the House. We further discussed opening channels of communication between the leaders of the two parties including a possible meeting with the President at a future date. At no time was there any discussion specifically about the President requiring my intervention in the impasse on the E-levy. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
I am willing to provide him with an autographed copy of the manifesto–John Mahama
Former president John Dramani Mahama has said he is willing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo with an autographed copy of the manifesto. President Akufo-Addo while addressing supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) at the National Delegates Conference in Kumasi on Sunday, December 19 asked about the one policy that the NDC and former President John Mahama have thought about in five years that they have been in opposition. “I am willing to provide him with an autographed copy of the manifesto. With his speech of yesterday, he has carved his niche as a good campaigner, but unfortunately a poor leader as Ghanaians have found out at great cost” He said Below is former President Mahama Facebook post: I think the President must take his responsibilities seriously and focus on working to change the circumstances of our people, rather than the rabble-rousing skits he serves the nation. To answer his rhetorical question on policy, if only he took a moment, in the comfort of his chartered jet, to read the People’s manifesto, he would have at least learnt about the ‘Big Push’ (an accelerated infrastructure plan for Ghana), ‘Free Primary Health Care Plan’, the ‘1 million jobs plan’, ‘Ghana FIRST’ (Framework for Industrial Revitalization, Support and Transformation) and several other well-thought-through and costed policies. I am willing to provide him with an autographed copy of the manifesto. With his speech of yesterday, he has carved his niche as a good campaigner, but unfortunately a poor leader as Ghanaians have found out at great cost. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Proposal for Nasara coordinator in every polling station rejected– Joseph Dindiok Kpemka
The leaders of the New Patriotic Party, have rejected the proposal to have Nasar coordinators at every polling station. The party concluded that there will be Nasar coordinators in each constituency and region but not at the polling station as earlier rumored. The former Deputy Attorney General who also doubles as a member of the NPP’s constitution review committee Joseph Dindiok Kpemka during an interview TV3’s William Evans-Nkum monitored by Apexnewsgh.com at the NPP’s delegates conference in Kumasi on Sunday, December 19 said they have rejected the idea. According to him, “All that we have done is to change the nomenclature. We are saying that Nasara coordinators should become Nasara organizers in the various constituencies so that we make it in tandem with the party’s plan of ensuring that we have organizers for various facets. So yes, we have accepted that proposal. Nasara organizers in the various constituencies and the regions but not at polling stations.” Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
NPP will win, even if elections were to be conducted today–Obiri Boahen
The National Deputy Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) Nana Obiri Boahen has said, if the election were to be conducted today, NPP will win hands down. Apexnewsgh.com report Speaking to Apexnewsgh.com in an exclusive interview a day after the party annual delegates conference in Kumasi, Mr. Obiri Boahen said: “It is the good people who are going to determine, I should not underrate or insult the intelligence of the every Ghanaian, I must appreciate the sentiment and intelligent of every Ghanaian who is eligible to vote and I agree that even though there are some hitches of difficulties, [the NPP will win]. “Sometimes, I boost into laughter when I hear these our NDC boys talking. I believe they are talking because there is a need for them just to talk, that’s all. He challenged the opposition National Democratic Congress to mention at least one social intervention they have introduced as a social democrat. “Tell me any social intervention policy the NDC have introduced since we started with this Republic? Just tell me one, they called themselves social democrats. “Is an undeniable fact that when even the NPP introduce FSHS, NDC opposed it. Is that not the case? “The creation of regions, NDC boycotted it. “Apart from the decision to increase the MPs allowances, tell what the NDC has not opposed. He quizzed Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
I will hand over power to the next Presidential candidate of the NPP in 2024–Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo has pledged to hand over power to the next presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 general elections. Apexnewsgh.com report According to President Akufo-Addo, the elephant is determined to break the 8-year cycle in order to sustain the economic growth witnessed under his administration. Meanwhile, addressing party members at the NPP’s delegates conference in Kumasi on Sunday, December 19, he said “I am determined to hand over the baton to the next NPP presidential candidate. “We want to break the 8 not just for ourselves but for Ghana because we know the zigzag, NPP comes to clean for them to be polluted, this is not the way progress will be brought to our country. “We need a secure period in office to make that irreversible change in the fortunes of our nation and we are capable of doing it. We will get a candidate that will unify our party and all of us will campaign to make that candidate the next president of the Republic.” He said President Akufo-Addo advised members of the NPP to embrace internal competition because competitions are part of the political exercise but cautioned the party against unhealthy competition that will hinder the determination of the party to break the 8-year cycle in the next general elections. “Competition, we cannot avoid competition. Competition there will be but let that competition help the party and not hinder the party so that we can break the 8 in 2024.” He advised Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your adverts and credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Our government is thinking outside the box to transform the country–Dr. Bawumia
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has described the New Patriotic Party administration as a government that is thinking outside the box to transform the country. Apexnewsgh.com reports According to Dr. Bawumia who was speaking at the New Patriotic Party’s delegates conference in Kumasi on Sunday, December 19, he said a number of initiatives have been introduced by the government to transform the economy through digitalization. “Ours is a government that is thinking outside the box to transform the country,” he said. He added that “For the first time in our history Ghana has a drone for medical delivery, Ghana is implementing one district one hospital under agenda 111. “By end of our second, we would build more hospitals than any government. Our government is building one district one factory. “For the first time in our history students can apply for students loan without a guarantor.” However, the Vice President entreats members and supporters of the NPP to remain united and rally behind the government for a better Ghana. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your adverts and credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
Ghanaians are going through difficult times, i admit–Akufo-Addo
President Akufo-Addo says, he admits that Ghanaians are going through difficult times currently. Apexnewsgh.com reports According to the President, even though Ghanaians are trying hard to blame him for the current predicament, he believes that shouldn’t be the case. “I admit that Ghanaians are going through difficult times, some people are trying to say that it is my fault but you know that is not the case”. He said The president made the pronouncement at Juaben in the Ashanti Region when he commissioned the NPP’s constituency office complex, where he called on inhabitants to support whoever he nominates as the Municipal Chief Executive for the area. “The party is having its national delegates conference. Some people want to tempt us but they cannot match us. We have what it takes to make us achieve what we want. “The person you choose to succeed me will become President after I leave office. All Ghanaians are observing the conference. I am pleading with you all to be disciplined. I also want you all to show unity among ourselves. “Let’s comport ourselves to ensure everything goes on smoothly. No party has been able to do what we have been able to do by organizing constituency, and national delegates conferences. “We are also proving to Ghanaians that we are pioneers of democracy. I am therefore appealing to you all to be disciplined especially as it is happening in our stronghold,” he said. “I am hopeful that if you all support the vision of this government, we will be able to turn things around,” he said. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your adverts and credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093
NDC Communicator who allegedly defrauded O.A boss with Mahama’s name arrested
Police in the Ashanti Region has confirmed the arrest of one Gabriel Aga, a member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications team in Kumasi. The suspect was arrested over the weekend at Manhyia Palace in Kumasi during the Akwasidae Festival celebration in an alleged attempt to defraud the Chief Executive Officer of O.A Transport, Opoku Agyemang. Narrating the incident, Starr News source said the suspect had already taken Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis (Ghc50,000.00) and wanted an additional One Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedies (Ghc100,000.00) from the O.A CEO. The suspect had informed the businessman on phone that he was former President John Mahama and needed some cash for medical care abroad. The businessman released the money to the suspect because he said former President Mahama sent him for the cash on his behalf. After the money was released, he never heard from the suspect again. Months later, he received a call again from the suspect pretending he is former President and requested an additional one hundred thousand Ghana cedis. According to O.A boss, the suspect promised to make him a big businessman if the NDC wins the 2024 elections. The businessman requested they meet at the Akwasidae Festival celebration for the money. When they met at Manhyia Palace, the businessman insisted on meeting the former President himself but this was unsuccessful leading to the arrest. Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Please contact Apexnewsgh.com on email apexnewsgh@gmail.com for your adverts and credible news publications. Contact: 05555568093