The Minority in Parliament is raising fresh concerns over the proposed VAT bill, accusing the government of trying to rush it through without adequate consultation and scrutiny.
Taking the floor on Wednesday, 26th November, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said his side is not against supporting key government policies, but insisted that due process and proper interrogation of the bill must not be sacrificed.
He pointed out that Parliament still has until the end of December to conclude work on the Appropriation Bill and other fiscal measures, stressing that “there is no need to rush” the VAT legislation.
Afenyo-Markin outlined a number of unresolved issues, including:
Lack of windowing: He noted that despite earlier engagements, there is still no clear framework for “windowing” under the VAT bill, contrary to what had been suggested in previous discussions.
Insufficient consultation: He argued that the bill appears to be “imposed” on Parliament, with limited consultation and weak consensus-building with key stakeholders.
Potential harm to the economy: The Minority Leader warned that, in its current form, the VAT bill risks undermining the country’s economic prospects and placing additional burdens on the business community.
He reiterated that the Minority is prepared to work with government on credible economic interventions, but called for broader stakeholder engagement and a more measured approach to the VAT bill to avoid unintended negative consequences.
