)
)
He made the appeal when he delivered a speech at the 11th Quadrennial Congress of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) on Tuesday, March 23, 2021.
The President noted that the introduction of the new taxes was necessary to sustain the recovery of Ghana’s economy.
He said we are not in normal times and, therefore, urged the leadership of the TUC and Organised Labour to assist the government to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
)
President Nana Akufo-Addo
)
)
)
“These measures sustained the economy, restored some lost jobs and incomes, whilst opening windows of new opportunities for others. The time has now come for us to take the next set of actions required for the sustained recovery of the economy,” Akufo-Addo said.
“The truth of the matter is that we are not in normal times, and I appeal to all Ghanaians, including Organised Labour, to assist Government in this endeavour to help rebuild our public finances and economy.
“We need to mobilise additional resources to cater for the new challenges confronting us whilst meeting other statutory requirements.”
)
11th Quadrennial Congress of the Trades Union Congress (TUC)
This comes after caretaker Finance Minister, Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, announced a number of taxes to be imposed on Ghanaians while reading the budget on Friday, March 12, 2021.
These taxes include a COVID-19 Health Levy; 1% increase in National Health Insurance Levy and 1% increase in flat VAT rate.
There is also a 30 pesewas increase in fuel prices to take care of excess power capacity charges [20 pesewas] and Sanitation and Pollution Levy [10%].
President Akufo-Addo called on Ghanaian workers to bear with the government, insisting the country’s economic challenges will soon be over.
“I, therefore, urge all Ghanaian workers to bear with the government in these unusual and rather challenging times.
"I am confident that sooner, rather than later, and together, we can create the happy, progressive and prosperous nation we all desire,” he added.