The Minister-designate for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has assured Parliament that he would put the interest of the nation first when the need arises to grant tax exemptions.
According to him, he is particularly against tax exemptions, as they must also count; if they should be granted, then the state must not be shortchanged.
“And as a champion against tax exemptions and someone who insists that tax exemption must also count, you can count on me that I will do whatever it takes that when push comes to shove, we have to grant tax exemption,” Dr. Ato Forson stated.
The Member of Parliament for Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam, Dr. Ato Forson, was answering a question at the Appointments Committee during his vetting on Monday, January 13, 2025.
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who is the ranking member on the committee, posed the question to the majority leader whether he would be ready to grant tax exemptions.
He said, “Particularly, what I want to hear from you, or what I would expect you to tell this committee, is that the Exemptions Act of 2022, Act 1083, allows the states to take equity stakes in entities that apply for tax exemptions. Can you tell this committee that under your regime, you will be bold enough to apply this aspect of the Act, that entities that come for tax exemptions, you will be ready to go in for equity stakes for this country?”
It would be recalled that one of the standoffs between the Majority and Minority in the latter days of the 8th Parliament was the motion by the government side to have Parliament approve tax exemptions for some companies under the one district, one factory.
The minority then, led by the finance minister nominee, Ato Forson, opposed vehemently against the proposal, arguing that Ghana was being shortchanged.
When referred to that matter, Ato Forson stated that indeed the minority was opposed, as the granting of a tax waiver was not transparent.
