Sammy Gyamfi Slams NPP’s 10% Tax on Sports Betting Winnings as ‘Cruel’ and ‘Insensitive’
In a recent statement, Sammy Gyamfi Esq., the National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), expressed his strong opposition to the newly-introduced 10% tax on sports betting winnings by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia/NPP government. Gyamfi emphasized that the NDC had never advocated for such a tax and accused NPP social media activists of distorting his previous comments on the issue.
Gyamfi clarified that during the run-up to the 2020 elections, when asked about funding the Sports Development Fund promised in the NDC’s manifesto, he had merely mentioned that the party would consider imposing a tax on sports betting, taking inspiration from the UK’s approach. He pointed out that in the UK, bet winnings are not taxed, but instead, betting companies face heavy taxation.
The NDC’s vehement opposition to the 10% tax stems from several reasons. Firstly, Gyamfi argued that sports betting, although undesirable, has become a necessary evil for many Ghanaian youths who are facing hopelessness, joblessness, and severe hardships caused by the current government’s alleged insensitivity and recklessness. He further criticized the imposition of the tax under the prevailing economic conditions, citing high inflation rates and soaring unemployment rates.
Gyamfi called on the government to adopt more innovative approaches to increase tax revenue, suggesting that multinational/foreign betting companies should be the target of taxation, rather than burdening poor Ghanaian youths who have turned to sports betting as a means of survival due to harsh economic conditions.
Moreover, the NDC representative accused the NPP of betraying their social contract with Ghanaians. He highlighted the NPP’s promise to reduce the tax burden on citizens and shift the country from “taxation to production.” However, since coming into power in 2017, the NPP government has introduced over 25 new taxes, which Gyamfi argued have made life unbearable for the majority of Ghanaians, particularly the unemployed youth.
Gyamfi concluded by stating that the NDC firmly stands against the NPP’s double standards in taxation, especially during these unprecedented times of hardship. He emphasized that sports betting has become a refuge for millions of unemployed Ghanaian youths due to the alleged economic mismanagement of the NPP. Therefore, the NDC fully supports calls for the immediate repeal of the 10% tax on bet winnings.
The NDC’s official position, as articulated by Sammy Gyamfi, sends a clear message that they will not lend their support to what they perceive as an unjust and insensitive tax policy.