Mid-year budget review: Social media users ‘taunt’ minority over ‘VAT increase swerve’

The Minority caucus in parliament have not been spared by social media users who have already started ‘ridiculing’ them over what could be described as a 'swerve’ of their expectations from the Finance Minister’s mid-year budget review presentation.

Minority members had, prior to today’s reading, raised concerns at a presser to present its review of the economy for the year, about the speculated increase in taxes and VAT. For them an increase in taxes could affect businesses and the cost of living of Ghanaians.

This was after a Facebook post by NPP member, Gabby Otchere-Darko sparked debate in the public and consequently, a publication by the New Statesman newspaper, suggested that VAT may be increased from 17.5 percent to 21.5 percent.

Though attempts were made by government to allay the reports, Minority members, led by Minority Spokesperson on Finance, Cassiel Ato Forson during the presser still predicted among other things that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, would on Thursday announce a barrage of new taxes and reintroduce some old taxes scrapped in the 2017 budget, in his mid-year budget review.

The house went ‘frenzy’ for a moment on Thursday when Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, during his presentation Thursday confirmed that there will be no increase in VAT, with Majority members endorsing his announcement with shouts.



“I would like to inform the house Mr. Speaker, that there would be no increase in VAT”, he said.

Some social media users, just minutes after the sitting have already started bashing minority.
“Listening to Shatta Wale’s song, Dem confuse oo, Dem confuse oo..Dem no no know what to do again….Whack Minority”, one tweet said.

“The minority were ready with plaques to protest VAT increment”, another said.

“Look at the faces of the Minority MPs, they are highly disappointed in the fact that the increase in the VAT and taxes didn’t come”, a third said.

Below are some of the tweets

Listening to Shatta Wale's song, Dem confuse oo.. Dem confuse oo.. Dem no know what to do again... Whack minority ????????#BudgetReview18

— Mr. Ishaq (@ishaq_jnr) July 19, 2018

The minority were ready with plaques to protest VAT increment????????????#BudgetReview18

— Golda???????????? (@naa_dede_) July 19, 2018

Look at the faces to the Minority MPs, they are highly disappointed for the fact that the increase in VAT and taxes didn't come.#BudgetReview18 #GhBudget

— MagzyGH (@magzyboy90) July 19, 2018

All the press release and press conferences that has been organized to bombard government if VAT is increased I wonder what will happen to them. POLITRICKS #BudgetReview18

— Cole ???????? (@Charming_Cole) July 19, 2018

Hmm ???? the minority seems soooooo quiet ????... ????????I guess they were disappointed that the VAT WAS NOT INCREASED....#BudgetReview18

— ye???????? (@preschofstaff) July 19, 2018