Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has launched a scathing critique of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, accusing him of implementing policies that, in his view, are driving Ghanaian youth and small businesses out of work.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, November 27, the Minority Leader said several measures introduced by the Minister were worsening the economic hardship facing citizens.
According to him, the Finance Minister’s decisions have led to unbearable electricity tariffs, increased tax burdens, and new compliance thresholds that are stifling small-scale businesses.
“Where is the money? Because when you ask, they only tell you Ato Forson. Ato is indeed forcing, you are forcing the youth out of jobs,” he said.
Mr. Afenyo-Markin criticised the recent hikes in electricity tariffs, insisting that the Minister was “forcing” Ghanaians to pay as much as 18% more, a move he believes will cripple households and industries.
“You are forcing to get 18% electricity tariffs,” he added.
He further accused the Finance Minister of imposing new tax and regulatory baskets that many small businesses cannot meet, ultimately pushing them into collapse.
“You are forcing to ensure you get a new basket, to compel many of our small-scale businesses to get into this new threshold,” he told Parliament.
The Minority Leader warned that these policies are eroding jobs, weakening the private sector, and worsening unemployment.
Source: happyghana.com
