Pius Enam Hadzide, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), lashed out at the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for criticizing the 10% betting tax.
The NDC has been a vocal opponent of the tax.
Criticism and worry have been voiced in response to the introduction of the 10% betting tax, which is a component of the government’s efforts to collect income.
Pius Hadzide Blast NDC for criticizing10% betting tax
In a statement that was signed by the National Youth Organiser, George Opare Addo, the youth wing of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) declared a series of measures that will be taken to force the government to rescind the 10% betting tax.
This decision was made in response to what the party views as an onerous taxation policy that disproportionately affects the young of the country as well as the overall betting sector.
Pius Hadzie made the following statement as he was being interviewed by Selorm Adonoo for Eyewitness News: “I’m pretty much scandalised listening to NDC with the impression they are making. According to the NDC, young people should turn to gambling as a solution to any problems they are facing, including difficulties finding jobs if that is the case. I’m astounded and appalled.
“Let me just place it on record that it is not just the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who has issues with betting and what betting can do to the value system of any country; even the Minority Leader, Ato Forson, has called on the state to ban all forms of betting,” the speaker said.
The Chief Executive Officer of the New York Association (CEO) criticised the NDC for encouraging young people to rebel against the government.
If you want to lead the country, you should be talking policies, and not that there are hardships; young people should turn to betting, a game of luck, or a game of chance. “Young people are being prepared for the future, and if you want to lead the country, you should be discussing policies. And that we are not going to encourage the young people of Ghana, who are known for their tenacity and entrepreneurial spirit, to keep up their laborious efforts.”
Pius Hadzide claimed that the government of Ghana is working to find solutions to the problem of high youth unemployment, despite the fact that it has been acknowledged that Ghana, like other developing countries, also faces this problem.
“I do admit that just like other developing countries, there are obstacles, issues, youth unemployment, issues related to education, concerns related to health… Young people in this country are finally beginning to experience hope for the first time in this nation’s history.
Because of free secondary education, hundreds of thousands of young people whose futures would have been cut short at the elementary level are now enrolled in secondary schools, according to the chief executive officer of the NYA.