Imposition Of 17.5% Petroleum Tax On Ghanaians Shows Clearly Gov�t Is Inefficient

General Secretary of Health Workers� Union (HSWU) of the Trade Union Congress, Mr. Abu D. Kuntulo has described the haste in which President Mahama-led government passed the Special Petroleum Tax bill as unrealistic and a mark of inefficiency. The Finance Minister, Seth Terkper, on Wednesday submitted a bill to Parliament requesting the approval of a Special Petroleum Tax Policy which will see the introduction of 17.5% VAT on petroleum products. Parliament has approved the controversial 17.5% Special Petroleum Tax bill by only the Majority Members of Parliament (MPs) after the Minority MPs staged a walkout during a debate on the bill. Mr. Terkper�s announcement has angered Ghanaians and the Minority in Parliament who say petroleum prices must be reviewed downward since crude oil prices on the world market has hit a record low. Speaking to a reporter of Oman Fm during the 12 labor unions demonstration on Thursday, November 20, 2014, Mr. Abu Kuntulo considered the passage of the Special Petroleum Tax Policy as a sign of inefficiency of government. �17.5 per cent tax increment on petroleum is unrealistic and the imposition of tax on us shows clearly the inefficiency of this government�, he fumed. Subsequently he assured that the Trade Union Congress (TUC) will soon make a strong statement on the Special Petroleum Tax Policy the government has imposed to Ghanaians amidst the general hardships in the country.