Afenyo-Markin criticises govt’s plan to extend Special Import Levy

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has strongly criticised the government’s proposal to extend the special import levy from 2025 to 2028, describing it as a move that disregards the concerns of ordinary Ghanaians and importers.

Speaking on the matter in Parliament on Tuesday March 26, Afenyo-Markin expressed disappointment in what he called the government’s “ndaadaa” attitude, accusing it of taking more from citizens without offering meaningful relief.

“We are also aware that there is this special import levy extension from 2025 to 2028. So this attitude of attempting to give one, take more—this ‘ndaadaa’ attitude—we can read in between the lines,” he remarked.

The Minority Leader emphasised the importance of the levy’s expiration for importers, urging the Finance Minister to commit to not extending it.

He argued that the government’s decision would leave importers, who had anticipated an end to the levy, deeply disappointed.

“This government is not really a government that cares about the ordinary Ghanaians because importers who are expecting an end to this special import levy will be disappointed. The private sector can only thrive if the government is giving them a breather,” ” Afenyo-Markin stated.