The report that the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, says the introduction of the electronic levy (E-levy) for revenue mobilisation to improve the economy is a better option than going to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance is one of the leading stories in the Ghanaian press on Tuesday.
The Ghanaian Times reports that the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, says the introduction of the electronic levy (E-levy) for revenue mobilisation to improve the economy was a better option than going to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for assistance.
The E-levy, he said, had the potential of raking in GH¢7 billion for the country if it had commenced this year, a figure which according to him was higher than what the country received under the last IMF intervention in 2015.
“What will the IMF give you, the last time they did it was a billion dollars in a three-year programme which was US$ 300 million a year for three years and e-levy as small as we see it would have given us GH¢7 billion if we had started this year,” he stated.
The minister stated this yesterday at Wa when the Upper West Region took its turn to host the town hall meeting to explain to Ghanaians the rudiments of the levy.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers, politicians, heads of departments as well as leadership of student councils in the various tertiary institutions across the region and representatives from the informal sector.
The minister said the e-levy was needed to meet the increasing demands for development and job creation and to also continue to embark on social interventions.
The newspaper says that the government will strictly enforce laws against plastic waste pollution in line with a renewed effort to tackle the menace, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, DrKwakuAfriyie, has said.
He said hefty fines, where applicable, would be carried out to deter people from littering and engaging in other forms of plastic waste pollution in order to save the country from the increasing impact of the practice.
Engaging with the management of two plastic production plants in Accra yesterday, he said the impact of plastic waste pollution had reached life-threatening levels because fish being consumed were also eating the plastic waste dumped into the sea indiscriminately.
“By the end of every month, you would have ingested the size of a regular complementary card in terms of micro-plastics through the food chain and it would cause all the damage you would want to think of,” he said.
The visit to the plastic production plants-Mini Plant and Dophil Roofing systems, a subsidiary of the Dophil Group-was part of industry engagement to rope them into the revived strategy to address the plastic pollution challenge.
The Graphic reports that the Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) has started a roadshow to grow local interest and participation in the Free Zones Scheme in the country.
It is also encouraging more local businesses to take advantage of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The roadshow dubbed, Ghanaian Entrepreneurs for Export, created a platform for leadership of the GFZA to interact with potential investors, associations and business groupings.
Interacting with members of the East Legon Executive Business and Fitness Club in Accra, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GFZA, Mr Mike Oquaye Jnr, said: “The Business of Ghana Must be driven and led by Ghanaians”.
“More Ghanaians must get on board to create more wealth and jobs locally, in line with the vision of Ghana Beyond Aid – as espoused by President Akufo-Addo,” he said.
Mr Oquaye said there was the need for Ghanaian investors and entrepreneurs such as members of the East Legon Executive Club to take advantage of the Free Zones Scheme.
This, he said, would be in line with the authority’s vision to assist Ghanaian businesses to export into Africa and the rest of the world.
The newspaper says that Road Transport Operators have concluded negotiations on increment in fares pegging the percentage increase at 15 percent.
These new fares will take effect Saturday, February 26, 2022. It includes fares for shared taxis, intra-city (tro-tro) and intercity (long distance)
Earlier, the transport unions proposed a 30 percent upward adjustment but after a meeting today, Monday February 21, 2022, the operators have agreed to increase public transport fares by 15 percent.
“We kindly request all commercial transport operators to comply with the new fares and post same at three loading terminals”, the transport group said in a statement issued after the meeting.
The increment according to the group is in line with the administrative arrangement on public transport fares and after intense negotiations with stakeholders and in consideration of the plight of drivers, commuters and the general public.
It also cited current trends on the international market and its impact on domestic fuel prices.
GIK/APA