2025 budget: NDC stands for policies that bring relief, create opportunities — Fifi Kwetey

The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to empowering every section of Ghanaian society.

According to the NDC chief scribe, the party consistently implements policies that prioritize the welfare of the people above all else.

In a social media post following the presentation of the 2025 budget statement on Tuesday, March 11, Fifi Kwetey cited the removal of certain taxes as evidence of this commitment.

“As a party, when we say we do, we mean real action that puts the people first. We stand for policies that bring relief, create opportunities, and drive sustainable growth. When we say we do, we mean it!” he stated.

Among the tax removals highlighted are the abolition of the 1.5% withholding tax on unprocessed gold by small-scale miners to support the growth of the mining sector and empower local miners, as well as the scrapping of the 10% betting tax to ensure fairness for the youth and businesses in the gaming industry.

The government has also fulfilled its promise to eliminate the 1% e-levy, easing the financial burden on Ghanaians and promoting digital transactions, while removing the emissions levy to protect businesses and consumers from unnecessary costs.

Addressing concerns about the resulting revenue shortfalls, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson explained that reducing the tax refund ceiling from 6% to 4% would help cover the gap.

“Mr. Speaker, by reducing the ceiling on the tax refund from 6% to 4%, we will save GH¢3.8 billion. This amount is enough to close the revenue shortfall from the removal of the e-levy, which amounts to GH¢1.9 billion, and the betting tax, which accounts for GH¢180 million.

“Mr. Speaker, we have already saved GH¢3.8 billion for 2025 alone from just one source, and this is enough to close the gap created by the taxes we have removed,” he said.