Richard Yaw Aning, a member of the New Patriotic Party’s communication team for the Tema Central Constituency, has raised concerns over President John Dramani Mahama’s decision to scrap the betting tax. Speaking on the Nkɔsoɔnsɛm show with host Obidehyie Kofi Sekyi, Aning described the move as populist and questioned its rationale. He drew parallels between betting and opioid addiction, suggesting that both could have detrimental effects on individuals, particularly the youth.
“We are building a nation, and since the youth are the future of that nation, we need to protect them from any menace—like betting, gambling, drug abuse, etc.,” Aning emphasized. “We should rather find ways of making that sector unattractive,” he concluded.
It is worth noting that President Mahama’s administration has indeed scrapped several taxes, including the betting tax, as part of its efforts to ease the financial burden on Ghanaians. However, there is no clear indication that he plans to scrap taxes on opioids specifically.
By: Longman
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