President of the Traders Advocacy Group Ghana, David Amoateng, has urged government to enact a legislation that suspends property tax collection for a period of two years.
According to Mr Amoateng, road construction continuously proves to be a challenge for government to fulfill over the years.
The Group says because government has refused to construct roads in urban centres despite the taxes being paid by property owners/landlords, they should be given a 2-year property tax break to use that money to construct their own roads.
Speaking to Nana Yaa Brefo and JB on Onua FM Tuesday, February 27, 2024, Amoateng pointed out that during this time, citizens, including homemakers, property owners, and tenants, could allocate the saved funds towards the construction of roads leading to their properties.
“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,” he noted.
Highlighting the potential positive effects, he emphasised 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 emphasised the importance of engaging with stakeholders in the decision-making process, stressing the necessity for a meaningful dialogue with grassroots representatives to address their 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 sub-optimal.
“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 recognise 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|Onua FM
