Kadjebi residents welcome CRC recommendation for President to pay tax

Some Residents of Kadjebi in the Oti Region have expressed strong support for the Constitution Review Committee’s (CRC) recommendation to amend Article 68 (5) of the 1992 Constitution to make the President’s salary, allowances and facilities subject to taxation in accordance with applicable law. 

The proposed amendment seeks to ensure that the emoluments payable to the President under clauses (3) and (4) of Article 68 are taxed, just like the incomes of other Ghanaian workers.

They expressed hope that the proposed amendment would be adopted to strengthen accountability, promote equity and enhance public trust in governance. 

Fair

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), the residents described the recommendation as fair, necessary and a demonstration of leadership by example.

A teacher, Mawuli Gamor, said the President paying taxes would reinforce the principles of equality and good citizenship.

“As other workers pay taxes, he should also pay as an example of good citizenship,” she stated, adding that such a move would strengthen public confidence in the tax system. 

For his part, the Assembly member for the Kadjebi Freetown Electoral Area, Stephen Afrieye, said the amendment was overdue and reflected the expectations of ordinary Ghanaians.

“The President should pay tax because we are all citizens,” he said, stressing that paying taxes was a civic responsibility that every Ghanaian must honour, regardless of status or position.

Mr Afrieye noted that subjecting the President’s emoluments to taxation would promote fairness and shared responsibility in national development.

A baker at Kadjebi, Dzigbordi Efah, also welcomed the recommendation, describing it as a positive step towards inclusive nation-building. 

“The President is a citizen, and as other citizens pay tax, he should also pay,” she said, explaining that tax revenue was critical for the provision of infrastructure and social services across the country.

She added that the President’s participation in paying taxes would symbolise unity and collective sacrifice for national development. — GNA