The Minister-designate for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, has indicated that the government of President John Dramani Mahama would introduce road tolls to raise revenue.
According to him, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has always maintained the position that it would return the paying of road tolls and would do exactly that, having taken office.
Speaking at his vetting on Monday, January 13, 2025 Dr. Ato Forson was emphatic to the Appointments Committee that users of roads will have to pay a toll as done internationally.
“We are not running away from this promise. We are a party that honours its commitments and if road tolls are a means to raise revenue, we will implement them.
“If you use the road, you pay a toll. It is a standard practice worldwide. Ghana will not be the first or last country to adopt this,” he explained.
RETURN
The previous Akufo-Addo government, in 2021, abolished the payment of road tolls ahead of the introduction of the E-Levy, which the NDC MPs at the time opposed, leading to a monster created out of the levy and subsequently not yielding the anticipated revenue as the public did not welcome it.
The government in its dying days attempted reintroducing the road tolls, but could not lay the bill before plenary, though it was submitted to Parliament.
At his vetting on Monday, Ato Forson informed the Appointments Committee that, “If the road toll is a way to raise revenue, we will bring it to raise the revenue.”
TAX EXEMPTION
The Minister-designate for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, assured Parliament that he would put the interest of the nation first when the need arises in granting tax exemptions.
According to him, he is particularly against tax exemptions, as they must also count. If it 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, that we have to grant tax exemption,” Dr. Ato Forson stated.
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 stake 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 an equity stake 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[s side to have Parliament approve tax exemptions for some companies under the one district, one factory policy.
The minority side, then led by the finance minister nominee, Ato Forson, opposed vehemently the proposal, arguing that Ghana was being shortchanged.
When referred to that matter, Ato Forson stated that indeed the minority opposed it, as the granting of the tax waiver was not transparent.
ECG PRIVATISATION
On the same day, the Minister-designate for Energy, John Abdulai Jinapor, appeared before the Appointments Committee, during which he indicated that in six months’ time, there would be a comprehensive framework for private sector participation in the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
According to him, the participation of the private sector aims to enhance efficiency and improve power distribution in the country.
He added that a seven-member committee would be formed to evaluate global best practices to determine whether a concession model or full privatisation would be more suitable for ECG’s operations.
“We believe there should be private sector participation. What we intend to do is to form a seven-member committee, comprising technical experts, legal minds, financial analysts, industry players and even a consumer representative,” he stated.
Mr. John Jinapor assured the committee that the government would avoid political interference, relying on an open and transparent process.
“My target is to push for six months, but I do not want to stampede the committee. However, give or take, within this year, we should complete the framework,” he said, adding that the government would not resort to sole-sourcing, but instead adopt a competitive tender process.
GHANA’S INTEREST
Meanwhile, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice-designate, Dr. Dominic Akurintinga Ayine has promised to protect the interest of Ghana in all legal transactions, both local and international.
He has told the Appointments Committee of Parliament during his vetting on Monday, January 13, 2025 that he would implement robust measures to safeguard the public from potential losses in all dealings.
The former deputy Attorney General assured the committee of his capability to handle international matters effectively.
“I can assure the House that if they are [legal contracts] before the London Court of International Arbitration, I’m quite familiar with that tribunal.
“I have appeared before that tribunal several times. I can assure you that I will put in the measures that will ensure that the interest of the public is not compromised.”
