Former Majority Leader in Ghana’s Parliament, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has disagreed with former President John Dramani Mahama’s pledge to eliminate the 10% tax on betting winnings.
Mensah-Bonsu argues that removing the tax would encourage more people to engage in gambling, which he considers harmful, citing religious texts that condemn the practice.
During a Townhall Meeting with Ghanaian youth to mark International Youth Day, Mahama announced his intention to abolish the tax if elected president in the December elections.
However, Mensah-Bonsu contends that betting is not a legitimate profession and should be discouraged.
“The Bible said you should work and eat from the hard work of your hands. The Bible has spoken against gambling,” he told Nhyira FM.
“It is like alcohol. People consume it but they know it is not good and it is being taxed. They sell cigarette and it can cause harm to your health, including lung cancer.
“Is it the purpose of John Mahama to encourage people to go into betting by removing the tax from it? Gambling is not work.”