As Parliament prepares to reconvene on Monday, December 16, 2024, following Speaker Alban Bagbin’s earlier indefinite suspension, Ghanaians have voiced their expectations for the upcoming session. This sitting, the first after the 2024 general elections, could mark the final deliberations of the 8th Parliament before its dissolution.
Speaking to GhanaWeb, many citizens urged lawmakers to prioritize scrapping taxes such as the Betting Tax and the E-Levy, which they describe as burdensome. “The E-Levy and Betting Tax should be canceled. The charges are unnecessary. How can you shut down tollbooths that generate revenue and shift the burden onto the youth? When we win bets, they deduct 10% in taxes—it doesn’t make sense,” one concerned citizen remarked.
Some also expressed hope that the controversial anti-LGBTQ bill would be revisited and expedited during the sitting. Others, however, criticized the reconvening of Parliament as a waste of time, arguing that the short time left before dissolution would not allow for significant legislative achievements.
“In my opinion, the Speaker shouldn’t even bother coming to Parliament. With all the time they had, what meaningful discussions can they have now? The Speaker should feign illness and save everyone from this time-wasting exercise,” another individual suggested.
As Parliament reconvenes, the spotlight will be on whether lawmakers can address the pressing concerns of citizens before the conclusion of the 8th Parliament.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
