President of the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana, David Amoateng, has urged the government to enact legislation that suspends property tax collection for a period of two years.
Speaking to Nana Yaa Brefo and Isaac Ekow JB on Onua FM, Amoateng believes that during this time, citizens, including homemakers, property owners, and tenants, could allocate the saved funds towards the construction of roads.
“They can decide that for the next 2 years they won’t take property tax from Ghanaians, and for that time period homemakers, property owners and tenants will use that money to construct their own roads.
Highlighting the potential positive effects, he emphasized that such an initiative could contribute to reducing water waste and preventing dirt pollution, as poorly maintained roads are significant contributors to these issues.
Amoateng also emphasized the importance of engaging with stakeholders in the decision-making process, stressing the necessity for a meaningful dialogue with grassroots representatives to address concerns and ensure effective implementation.
“They need to sit with stakeholders to have a stakeholders’ engagement, because there are things that are happening that we know about because we’re in the grassroots.
Critiquing the government’s approach, particularly during its second term, Amoateng pointed out a perceived deficiency in consulting with stakeholders.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of collaboration, citing the need for improved communication channels to enhance governance.
“This is the second term of the New Patriotic Party and one of their many ills is their lack in ability to consult with stakeholders.”
Drawing attention to specific government initiatives, he acknowledged the positive aspects of the free Senior High School project, but questioned the implementation strategy, characterizing it as suboptimal.
“The free Senior High school project is a good idea, so why is the implementation so poor” he quizzed.
In a plea to the government, Amoateng urged authorities to recognize the widespread criticism and concerns voiced by leaders in various sectors, including journalists emphasizing that such expressions stem from a collective desire to secure the best outcomes for every Ghanaian citizen.
By Lois Dogbe