Joseph Paddy, the director of industrial relations at the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), has stated that they will hold President-elect John Dramani Mahama to account, especially the promises he made to traders.
He first congratulated him for his victory in the general elections, saying it was early days yet to make any demands of him but served notice they will demand the implementation of his policies for traders.
He said while campaigning, President-elect John Dramani Mahama made several promises, and we also submitted several proposals to him, including the depreciation of the cedi against the dollar.
“We also expressed concern over the interest rate, and it was one of the reasons he promised to establish the Women’s Bank. It is early days yet; he was just elected. But we will hold him to account for all his promises.”
Speaking in a recent interview on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he stated that “Ghanaian voters have become very sophisticated and will vote you out if you fail to deliver on the promises you made to them.
If you don’t take it, after four years, the voters will vote you out. The outcome of the elections has informed us that Ghanaians want progress, and so if you come into office and you fail to deliver, you will see your smoothness level after the elections”.
Mr. Paddy was hopeful that the promises to roll out a fixed-rate tax system by President-elect John Dramani Mahama will go a long way in helping businesses in the country.
The cost at the harbour for import duties, he said, was unstable and keeps increasing on a daily basis, and so if Mahama has promised to introduce the fixed rate, we will wait for it because it will ensure price stability.
He stressed that Mahama promised to prioritise the concerns of local traders and prevent foreigners from retail activities.
He slammed the outgoing NPP government for failing to deliver on its promise to move from taxation to production, saying, “You promised to move from taxation to production, but the government introduced nuisance taxes. That was one of the reasons this government was voted out. You cannot make promises and say things to deceive us. When you make promises, you must deliver”.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana