Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Ghana’s Finance Minister-designate, is advocating for the removal of the country’s betting tax. He argues that eliminating this tax will not impede economic progress. Instead of tax increases, Dr. Forson emphasizes that improving compliance is the key to boosting government revenue. His case for scrapping the controversial betting tax is compelling, focusing on its potential positive impact on the nation’s economy.
Addressing the Appointments Committee of Parliament during his vetting on Monday, January 13, 2025, he stated, “Scrapping the betting tax will not affect the forward march of the economy.” Dr. Forson emphasised that the key to boosting government revenue lies in improving tax compliance rather than imposing new taxes or increasing existing ones.
“You don’t have to increase taxes to increase revenue. What is important is to increase compliance,” he explained, advocating for innovative strategies to enhance the country’s fiscal performance without overburdening taxpayers. The minister-designate also noted claims that he plans to request additional financial support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are false.
Dr. Forson clarified that his earlier remarks on the matter had been misrepresented in the media. “I didn’t say I was going to request additional finance from the IMF,” he stated unequivocally. “It’s inaccurate reportage. What I said was that we could request additional finance if the need arises.”
Dr. Forson clarified that his comments were speculative and emphasized the need for flexibility in managing Ghana’s economic affairs. He urged the media to be cautious in their reporting to avoid misinterpretations that could alarm the public unnecessarily. “We should not entirely rule out the possibility of seeking additional support from the IMF,” he added, “but such a decision would only be made if the circumstances truly warranted it.”
By: Evans Effah
