NPP’s Betting Tax Hypocrisy Exposed …The Contradictions That Erode Public Trust

In a damning display of political opportunism, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has been caught in a web of contradictions over the issue of the betting tax in Ghana. After vehemently opposing the implementation of the tax during their time in government, the NPP is now shamelessly accusing the current administration of deception for pledging to abolish the very same levy.
The controversy erupted when Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson announced plans to scrap the 10% withholding tax on betting winnings, which he referred to as the “betting tax,” as part of the 2025 budget. This prompted a swift and vociferous response from the Minority in Parliament, led by former Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam.
Accusing the government of misleading the public, Dr. Amin Adam claimed that the betting tax was never implemented during the previous NPP administration. “The government is being deceptive by claiming to abolish a tax that was never collected,” he asserted.
However, a closer examination of the facts reveals a glaring double standard on the part of the NPP. According to data from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the betting tax was indeed implemented and collected during the NPP’s tenure in government.
In 2023, the GRA managed to rake in GHc51,489,838.77 from the 10% withholding tax on gross gaming winnings. This figure ballooned to GHc156,754,274.46 in 2024, bringing the total collection over the two-year period to a staggering GHc208,244,113.23.
“The numbers don’t lie. The NPP clearly implemented this tax, and they collected significant sums from it. Now they have the audacity to claim it was never enforced,” said Marian Asiedu-Ampah, a tax policy expert.
The NPP’s double standard extends beyond the betting tax issue. During their tenure, the party constantly bemoaned the country’s low tax-to-GDP ratio, calling for a broadening of the tax base and greater compliance among high-net-worth individuals and corporations.
“Yet, when it came time to hold the wealthy and politically-connected accountable through measures like the betting tax, the NPP balked,” said civil society activist Millicent Aku Kadiadze. “Their actions now expose the hollowness of their rhetoric on tax justice and equitable development.”
The implications of this hypocrisy are far-reaching. By undermining the credibility of the tax system, the NPP’s political gamesmanship erodes public trust and fuels a dangerous culture of impunity among the elite.
“When the wealthy and well-connected can evade their civic responsibilities with impunity, it sends a message that the system is rigged against ordinary citizens. This is precisely the kind of behavior that has hampered Ghana’s development for far too long,” lamented a senior GRA official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The controversy over the betting tax is just the latest chapter in a long-standing pattern of the NPP prioritizing the interests of their political allies and cronies over the greater good of the nation. Whether it’s shielding wealthy businesspeople from tax enforcement or delaying critical reforms, the party’s track record is littered with instances of self-serving politics at the expense of the public.
“The NPP’s sudden outrage over the betting tax is nothing more than a shameless attempt to score cheap political points. They had the chance to address this issue when they were in power, but they chose to look the other way. Now, they’re trying to paint themselves as the champions of the people, when their actions tell a very different story,” said Dr. Aaron Kwasi Osei, an economic analyst.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that during the 2024 election campaign, NPP’s presidential candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, had promised to abolish the betting tax if elected. However, the party’s current stance contradicts this pledge, as it now claims that the tax was never implemented in the first place.
“If the betting tax was never implemented, then what was Dr. Bawumia proposing to abolish?” questioned Dr. Osei. “This inconsistency undermines the credibility of the NPP’s promises and calls into question their commitment to transparency and accountability.”
As the budget debate rages on, the minority’s accusations have struck a chord with many Ghanaians, who are increasingly disillusioned with the political class and their self-serving agendas. The public is demanding accountability and transparency, with a growing recognition that true progress can only be achieved when the tax system works for the benefit of all, not just the privileged few.
According to civil society activist Mawuena Aku Kadiadze, “This is a pivotal moment for our country. The people are watching, and they will no longer tolerate the kind of double standards and political hypocrisy that have held Ghana back for far too long. The time has come for our leaders to put the interests of the nation above their own.”
Whether the NPP’s tactics will succeed in derailing the government’s plans remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the party’s blatant disregard for principles of good governance and tax justice has been laid bare for all to see. The burden now rests on the current administration to chart a new course – one that upholds the values of transparency, equity, and the greater public good.