We will not allow Terkper to walk NDC into opposition - Koku Anyidoho

The National Democratic Congress has expressed dissatisfaction with some tax proposals remarks by finance minister, Seth Terkper.

Addressing a gathering at the Stanbic Bank-Daily Graphic Executive Breakfast Meeting, Seth Terkper was quoted as saying “...remember that as you make your social security contributions, they are exempt from tax even though it is part of your income.

“Perhaps we will have to exempt a certain level of income on the pension so that those who are fortunate enough to make fat pensions they may pay a little tax,” the Minister added.

But the Deputy General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress, Koku Anyidoho said it makes no sense for tax pensions.

According to him, all tax tools need not be deployed at a go but should be done gradually. He believes the comments by the Finance minister will overshadow the positive works by the Mahama-led administration.

“The NDC party will not sit down again...We will not sit down again… No individual minister will walk us into opposition. No individual minister will walk us into opposition, it will not happen, it cannot happen…”, he said on an interview on Muntie FM.

“Seth Terkper, please watch your language. The NDC does not belong to you, it does not belong to me; it belongs to the grassroots. Seth Terkper do not incur the wrath of the party,” Koku Anyidoho added.

Meanwhile, a statement from the finance ministry said government does not intend to tax the pensions of Ghanaians.

The statement also said the minster's speech at the Stanbic Bank -Daily graphic breakfast meeting was misconstrued.

It said Terkper only sought to "explain the philosophy of the taxation of pensions adopted generally in literature and in countries that tax pensions."