Godwin Edudzi Tameklo, the acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Authority has boldly stated, that the first budget of President John Dramani Mahama will clearly blow the minds of Ghanaians.
According to Edudzi Tameklo, the details that he is privy to suggest Mahama means exactly what he said on campaign platforms.
He added that Ghanaians should remember that the 2025 budget is President Mahama’s budget which the finance minister only reads on his behalf.
Speaking on TV3 New Day Edudzi Tamakloe stated, “What I am convinced is that tomorrow (Tuesday, March 11) by the Grace of the Almighty God, the first budget of President John Dramani Mahama will clearly blow the minds of Ghanaians.
“The details some of which I am privy to will demonstrate that when a politician sits on a political platform and say vote for me and I will do a, b, c, d he actually means exactly what it is,” Tameklo added.
He further noted that “The details and the kind of thing that the President has…remember that the budget is for the President just that the Minister only reads it on his behalf, now in that budget, clearly the campaign promises in our social contract to the people of this country, we are going to ensure that step by step we will deliver on it.”
Meanwhile, A survey by auditing and accounting firm, KPMG has revealed the John Mahama government will lose GH¢6.4 billion if the E-levy and Covid tax is scrapped tomorrow in the 2025 budget reading.
“KPMG notes that abolishing the E-levy and Covid-19 levy could result in a revenue shortfall of at least GH¢6.4 billion”.
“Beyond the revenue measures proposed by respondents, the government should also leverage technology to enhance property rate administration and collection, as well as review taxation within the digital and e-commerce sectors.
Additionally, strengthening public financial management systems, closing loopholes in public procurement, and reducing wasteful spending are critical to improving fiscal sustainability”, KPMG stated.
However, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, the Minister of State for Government Communications has revealed the John Mahama government is on course to scrap E-Levy, COVID Levy in the 2025 budget.
John Mahama’s 120-day Social Contract listed the removal of the E-Levy, the COVID levy, a 10% tax on bet winnings, and the emissions levy all within the administration’s first 90 days in government.
Speaking to journalists in Accra on Monday, Kwakye Ofosu stated, “The finance minister has clearly indicated that we are on course to meeting those promises. So when on Tuesday he unveils the details of his budget, you will find that we have kept faith with the people of Ghana regarding the specific promises we made in the 120-day social contract,” Ofosu stated.
Addressing concerns about the Ghana Cedi depreciation, he added, “In terms of the currency, the finance minister will highlight measures both within the long term and medium term to address the financial weaknesses within our economy, one of which is rapid currency depreciation.
“In concert with development partners and other stakeholders within the economy, appropriate measures will be prescribed for addressing this perennial challenge of currency depreciation”, he emphasised.
