By Ashiadey Dotse
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has stated that removing the betting tax will not have a significant impact on Ghana’s economy.
During his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on January 13, Dr. Forson explained that the betting tax generates less than GHC50 million annually, which he described as a “nuisance tax.” He added that eliminating it would not harm the country’s financial stability, especially if government spending is adjusted to cover the small revenue gap.
“Some taxes are not bringing in meaningful revenue. For instance, the betting tax contributes less than GHC50 million a year. Scrapping it will not have any significant effect on the economy,” Dr. Forson said.
His comments follow a promise by former President John Dramani Mahama to remove the betting tax if elected, sparking public discussions on the issue.
Dr. Forson assured that the country’s economic progress would remain unaffected even if the tax is removed.