2025 Budget Must Address Galamsey and Water Pollution Crisis – Hon. Darko
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Suame in the Ashanti Region, Hon. John Darko, has stressed that the 2025 national budget, to be presented on Tuesday, March 11, by the Finance Minister, must tackle critical issues such as illegal mining and water pollution.
He argued that any budget that fails to address the degradation of forests and contamination of water bodies will not truly serve the interests of Ghanaians.
Speaking in an interview with ExpressNewsghana at Parliament House in Accra, Hon. Darko underscored the urgent need for government intervention in these environmental issues.
“If we are able to craft a budget that addresses the menace of illegal mining and water pollution, then we will be moving in the right direction,” he stated.
He also highlighted the impact of the country’s economic challenges on local businesses, particularly those in his constituency.
“Most traders, especially in my area, rely on imported car parts. A volatile cedi affects their operations. How does the budget plan to address this?” he questioned, adding that the stability of the national currency should be a key focus.
Hon. Darko further raised concerns about the country’s rising unemployment levels, calling for concrete plans within the budget to create job opportunities. “We expect the budget to address these issues. If it can offer real solutions, then we are hopeful for the country’s future.”
On the subject of taxes, Hon. Darko shared his thoughts on the government’s promise to remove the controversial e-levy.
“If they scrap the e-levy, it will create a gap in the budget,” he explained. “But instead of leaving that gap, the government may choose to recover the revenue elsewhere, like by raising data costs for consumers. This would be a form of ‘window dressing,’ where they take from one hand and give with the other.”
He emphasized the importance of a balanced tax system that encourages compliance and business growth, “While taxes are essential for national development, they should be reasonable.
High taxes often push businesses to evade them, which is illegal. If the government is willing to consider tax amnesty for struggling businesses, it could be a positive step,” he noted.
Hon. Darko concluded by expressing hope that the 2025 budget will strike a fair balance in taxation, ensuring that citizens and businesses can contribute to national growth without feeling overburdened.
Source: Felix Nyaaba// expressnewsghana.com
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