GOV’T JUSTIFIES TAX IMPOSITION ON FARM PRODUCTS

The government has justified its stand on tax imposition on rice and poultry products.
According to the Deputy Minister for Employment, Antwi Boasiako Sekyere the move will revamp the rice and poultry farming that has virtually collapsed in recent years.
He added that the tax imposition on these products will definitely increase the prices of the imported products thereby given opportunity cost to local production.
Mr. Antwi Boasiako Sekyere said these when speaking on Edwaso Nsem with Ekourba Gyasi this morning.
The NPP government waived taxes on rice and poultry products thereby reducing the import price of these products. This initiative did not go down well with local farmers as imported goods were cheaper than locally produced ones and gave such products high patronage.
The Deputy Employment and Social Welfare said the government will not pay lip service to the realization of commercial farming, but will make sure the country will have sufficient food to feed itself.
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Mr. Antwi Boasiako Sekyere noted that what is important for the government is to create employment for the unemployed masses to go into agriculture, but not to boast of achieving high GDP which invariably does not put money into people’s pocket.
However, the Director of Communications for the NPP, Kwaku Kwarteng contended that achieving high GDP growth means creating more employment, because more people will be engage in employment.
He therefore stressed that there is all indication that the government cannot ferry the ship for a safe trip, and should call for help to manage the economy prudently.
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