GRi in Parliament Ghana 19 - 10 - 2000
Parliament approves Dec 7 as Election Day
30 per cent corporate tax for GSE newcomers
Parliament approves Dec 7 as Election Day
Accra (Greater Accra) 19 Oct. 2000
Parliament on Wednesday approved by consensus December 7, as the date for this year's presidential and parliamentary elections.
The House said it was satisfied with the constitutional requirement and therefore finds the fixing of the day "a fit and proper exercise of power" by the Electoral Commission (EC).
Nana Akufo-Addo, Chairman of the Committee on Subsidiary Legislation, in presenting the report on the election, said officials of the EC and representatives of political parties assisted the committee in its deliberations as well as by the Chief of Staff.
The committee said "useful contributions were made, the most important of which was the consensus that emerged".
It expressed the hope that in future the EC would engage in broad consultations with relevant bodies, including the parliamentary committee and the political parties, prior to the announcement of the election date.
"This would obviate the needless controversy surrounding the initial choice of the EC."
Mr Albin S.K. Bagbin, NDC-Nadowli North, said by deciding against holding the presidential and parliamentary elections on separate days, the EC was exercising its constitutional mandate and avoiding duplication and waste of resources.
Squadron-Leader Clend Sowu, NDC-Anlo, suggested that a day and a date should be constitutionally fixed for the election and whether it is a leap year or not that day must remain unchanged, a view supported by both sides of the House.
Mr Kosi Kedem, NDC-Hohoe South, said there was the need for Ghanaians living abroad to be able to exercise their franchise.
He said there should be a fixed date when political campaigns would start. This view was re-echoed by Nana Akufo-Addo while summing up his motion on the committee's report.
Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, NPP-Asante-Akim North, asked the EC to take effective security measures to protect the results slip.
The Speaker, Mr Justice Daniel Francis Annan, commended the EC for honouring their constitutional obligation in fixing the date and asked them to give re-assurances about the state of the voters' register.
"We should work to ensure that the concerns of others could be addressed," the Speaker said.
Mr Justice Annan said for satisfaction to be derived from the electoral system, "we should all have frank interactions to reach a consensus".
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30 per cent corporate tax for GSE newcomers
Accra (Greater Accra) 19 Oct. 2000
Parliament on Wednesday gave its consent to the Internal Revenue Bill which will slash the corporate tax of companies that list on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) from 32 per cent to 30 per cent.
The Bill, which was taken through the consideration stage and attracted more than 53 amendments, also scraped all taxes charged on dividends raked in on instruments and shares.
It is primarily aimed at amending and consolidating all existing laws relating to income tax, capital gains and gift tax.
Mr Kwame Peprah, Minister of Finance, had convinced the house that the tax cut would encourage more companies to enlist on the stock market.
Mr Akwasi Osei Adjei, NPP-Ejisu-Juaben, who fought alone against the offer, said the arrangement is against the nation's tax philosophy that the wealthy must pay more tax because companies that trade on the stock market are the big and well-resourced ones.
Mr Peprah argued that preparations made by such companies before hooking onto the GSE make their operations more transparent, leaving very few or no loopholes for tax evasion.
Parliament used six sitting days to complete the consideration of the bill, which has the potential to simplify and speed up the expected modernisation of tax administration in the country.
Mr Ken Dzirasah, First Deputy Speaker, who presided over the consideration of the bill, called it "a long and tedious journey".
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Accra (Greater Accra) 19 Oct. 2000
Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Majority Leader, has now been joined on admission by his driver, Maxwell Alimo, at the 37 Military Hospital following their involvement in a car accident last Friday, October 12 on the Accra-Tema Motorway.
Alhaji Mumuni Seidu, Deputy Majority Leader, informing Parliament about the absence of Dr. Adjei from the House, said the driver was earlier sent to the Tema General Hospital because he sustained more severe injuries.
Alhaji Seidu the accident occurred close to Tema, the sensible thing to do was to send him to the nearest hospital.
Dr. Adjei, who sustained less severe injuries, later went to 37 Military Hospital. The driver was later transferred from Tema to join him at the same hospital.
"It was not that the driver was discriminated against," Alhaji Seidu explained.
The Majority Leader was travelling to his constituency in the Volta Region together with the driver and his bodyguard who escaped unhurt.
Members wished their Leader a speedy recovery and sent a delegation led by Alhaji Seidu to visit the two, who are responding to treatment.
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