The Akufo-Addo-led NPP government is facing fresh criticism over its handling of the controversial betting tax, as Okaikwei Central MP Patrick Yaw Boamah has issued an apology to Ghanaians for the confusion surrounding its implementation.
His apology follows a heated debate between the government and the Minority caucus over claims that the tax was never enforced. The controversy erupted after the presentation of the 2025 budget, where the government announced the abolition of the betting tax. However, Minority MPs, led by the MP for Karaga and former Finance Minister, challenged the claim, accusing the government of misleading the public.
Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, the former Finance Minister, defended the NPP’s position, stating that the tax was never implemented or collected in the first place. “How can you abolish a tax that was never enforced?” he questioned, highlighting what many see as an attempt by the government to gain political credit for a non-existent policy reversal.
In an interview on Lawson TV, which was later shared on X, Patrick Yaw Boamah admitted that the confusion stemmed from a communication gap, indirectly acknowledging the government’s failure to properly inform the public. His apology further exposes the inconsistencies in the NPP’s financial policies, which critics argue have contributed to economic instability.
The controversy has intensified scrutiny of the government’s fiscal management, particularly under the leadership of the Finance Minister. Many Ghanaians are now questioning whether this is another desperate attempt by the NPP to control the narrative ahead of the 2024 elections, as the party continues to struggle with economic challenges, rising debt, and public discontent.
With growing frustration over the government’s economic policies, the NPP’s credibility on financial matters is once again under fire. The opposition is now calling for greater transparency and accountability, urging the government to stop using deceptive tactics to manipulate public perception.
