Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for the Efutu Constituency wonders how the NDC government would fund the implementation of its policies, given its campaign promises of significant tax reductions.
During the 2024 December election campaign, John Dramani Mahama, the then-flagbearer of the NDC and now the president-elect, spoke at a mini rally at Adjei Kojo in the Tema West constituency. He pledged to support startups in poultry and other small businesses, emphasizing that his initiative aims to address the rising unemployment rate in Ghana by providing critical support to small business ventures.
As part of his plan, John Mahama pledged to offer incentives such as day-old chicks (Nkokɔ Nkitinkiti) for poultry farmers. In the Akan language, day-old chicks are referred to as “Nkokɔ Nkitinkiti” or Nkokɔ Mba.”.
He also promised Ghanaians that he would reduce taxes at the port and repeal the betting tax, the E-Levy, and some other taxes.
This gave hope to over 1.6 million Ghanaians, inspiring them to vote massively for the National Democratic Congress in the December 7, 2024, General Election, ensuring the party an overwhelming majority in Parliament.
But in his opening remarks on the floor of Parliament on December 16, 2024, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin quizzed his colleagues on the NDC about where they would get money to implement their ‘nkokɔ nkitikiti’ policy.
“You say you’re going to reduce taxes; you say you’re going to repeal the betting tax and the E-levy; you’re going to repeal all these taxes; you’re going to reduce taxes at the port.”
“We wonder where you will get the money to implement your ‘nkokɔ nkitikiti’ policy; we are waiting, Afenyo asserted.
He urged the next NDC majority to be ready for the NPP minority’s harsh criticisms and checks on the government during the 9th Parliament.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com Vincent Kwofie.