Deputy Majority Chief Whip Habib Iddrisu has commended the minority caucus for always putting the majority caucus on its toes.

The Deputy Majority Chief Whip was speaking on Wednesday, 21 December 2022, when civil society group Justice for Ghana presented a petition to parliament.

The group had picketed the house to register its displeasure with the government’s 2023 budget statement delivered by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta last month.

The leader of the group, Mr Selorm Dramani, said: “We’re demanding that the cathedral project is immediately stopped; all payments returned and an investigation [launched] into each fund raising and potential financial loss and judgment debts".

“We further demand the protection of pension funds and freeze on VAT and E-levy.”

The group also wants the government “to return to the original land owners such lands that have not been used for the original purpose for which they were acquired".

“The Cathedral and the Cantonments Civil Aviation lands are classic examples that require immediate attention,” the group cited.

The Deputy Majority Whip acknowledged that times are hard all over the world and emphasised the need for Ghanaians to support the government.

“When times are hard, and times are difficult, we need to sacrifice as Ghanaians. If you go round all over the world, you’ll see that governments or Ghanaians or citizens of various countries are contributing to the development of their nation,” he stated.

According to the Deputy Majority Whip, the government cannot fund its programmes without resources, hence the need for all persons to pay taxes.

He said: “At the moment, Ghana if you look at our tax to GDP we’re still doing around 13 per cent when it comes to tax to GDP".

“How does the government fund its programmes if, actually, certain people are not being taxed? So, definitely, we should all participate in helping the government to achieve the needed development that we intend achieving and I can assure you that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will not exhibit the dead-goat syndrome; he will surely listen to you.”

He indicated: “The minority has been a very sound minority. They keep the majority on our toes to make sure that the democracy that we’re all striving [for] will be achieved.”

He also assured the group that their concerns will be worked on.  

“We will not think that demonstrations are too many in the system and for that matter we’ll get fed up or frustrated about it. We’ll ensure that your concerns will be looked at,” the Deputy Majority Whip added.