The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has stated that there is not a levy in Ghana that its payment is painless as compared to other levies.
Speaking at the Manhyia Palace on Sunday, December 12, the Paramount Chief of the Asantes said all taxes cause pain and that it is the responsibility of every good citizen to fulfill his financial obligation.
He said government must introduce tax policies to generate revenues for economic development.
"And I do not know of any form of taxes which is less painful than others. So alas, government will raise such taxes that they find necessary to meet our needs, and alas, if we are good citizens, we have to pay our taxes," he said.
According to him, representatives are elected to represent the needs of their constituents in the House of Parliament, and that they must scrutinize government's budget statements and call for amendments to meet the demands of the citizenry.
He said it is the responsibility of government to also adhere to the voices of MPs and make necessary transformations in its budget statement.
He also cautioned the members of Parliament against imposing policies on the executives and also deliberately making businesses difficult for the executive.
Otumfuo's comments come after the 2022 budget sparked brouhaha and chaos in the house of Parliament with the two caucuses holding diverse views on the approval of the budget.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) say the budget is not qualified to be approved because it does not address the predicament of the victims of the tidal wave in Keta.
The NDC also say the budget contains certain elements such as the e-levy policy and the Agyapa deal which must be retracted.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) however hold the view that the budget must be passed.
This has led to commotion in the house of parliament with the budget rejected by the NDC after the NPP staged a walk-out.
The NPP, in the absence of the NDC in Parliament also approved the budget.
This has since generated an uproar in the house of the legislature.
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