The Upper East Regional Communications Director of the New Patriotic Party Peter Ayinbisa has taken on former president John Dramani Mahama over comments the former president made regarding Vice-President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s promise to remove some taxes introduced by the Akufo-Addo government should he (Dr. Bawumia) become president.
The former leader, who doubles as flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), at a meeting with the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), asked members of the association and Ghanaians to press on the Vice-President to remove the said taxes now and not wait till if he becomes president.
While bemoaning the burden of such taxes on businesses, Mr. Mahama cautioned Ghanaians against blindly trusting the promises of his contender in the 2024 elections, urging them to demand actions from him (Dr. Bawumia) now.
But responding to the former leader in an interview on Breakfast Today on Dreamz FM, Peter Ayinbisa said Mr. Mahama’s comments smack of hypocrisy.
He argued that although Dr. Bawumia is a key member of the current government, he does not wield the authority to take such decisions without the blessings of the president.
He, therefore, finds it hypocritical that Mr. Mahama would insist that the Vice-President act on his promises when he (Mahama) knows that he (Vice-President) does have such authority.
“That’s the hypocrisy of politics. You know the truth but because you want to become president again, you say anything and you think that people are not discerning enough to be able to decipher? He said that he should do it now, is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia the president now?
It’s only the president who has the right to decide what policy to implement. The Vice-President is to assist the president achieve the set goals and targets,” he stated.
“He cannot say today that Bawumia should do it now. Labour union or GUTA should force Bawumia to do it now. Bawumia doesn’t have the power to do. He’ll get the power by the grace of God on 7th January and he’ll implement it”.
Dr. Bawumia, presenting his vision for the country if he is elected, pledged to abolish a number of taxes including the E-levy, emission tax, VAT on electricity and the betting tax.
He also promised to grant businesses tax amnesty in the early days of his government if given the nod.
But Mr. Mahama and his NDC are calling on the Vice-President to act on his promises now if he really means them.
