Patrick Yaw Boamah apologises for misinterpretation about statements concerning the previous government’s betting tax, which former Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adams denies was ever imposed.
Patrick Yaw Boamah, Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, has apologised to the public after former Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adams claimed that the betting tax was not implemented by the previous government.
The NPP MP explained that the former finance minister’s remarks were misinterpreted due to a misunderstanding, and the party will address the issue soon.
In an interview with Lawson TV, Boamah stated that the former finance minister did not make a mistake but that the problem was created by inadequate communication.
There is an issue, and we will address it by clarifying our perspective. I don’t speak for him, but I believe there was a communication breakdown, which I hope he will address in his press interviews. I apologies to the youth for the miscommunication.
We offer betting, casinos, football bets, and more. A 10% withholding tax on gaming, sometimes known as the betting tax, exists.
However, the tax on winnings that Amin Adams attempted to explain was never imposed.
Former Finance Minister’s Comments
Former Finance Minister Mohammed Amin Adams has categorically disputed that the previous administration imposed a 10% tax on betting.
This declaration came when Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the current Finance Minister, presented the 2025 budget on March 11, 2025.
Dr. Forson announced the government’s decision to eliminate the 10% withholding tax on betting during his budget address to Parliament, with the goal of relieving financial strains on individuals, particularly young people.
Dr. Forson stated that abolishing this tax, together with other taxes, will increase Ghanaians’ disposable income, reduce the burden on households, and encourage business growth, all while improving tax compliance.
However, in a post-budget press conference, former Minister Adams disputed that the previous administration had ever imposed or collected such a tax.
Ladies and gentlemen, we never collected the betting tax that they claimed to have eliminated. We never established the betting tax; therefore, telling Ghanaians that you have repealed something that was never enacted is deceiving them.
This remark has aroused significant debate and prompted concerns regarding the whereabouts of monies supposedly collected through the betting tax program.
