In a latest interview, Hassan Ayariga, founding father of the All Individuals’s Congress (APC), and considered one of Ghana’s presidential candidates, pledged to ban sports activities betting within the nation, if elected within the forthcoming Ghanaian normal elections in 2024.
When requested about his angle towards sports activities betting, he condemned the follow and voiced his dedication to outlawing it, if he emerged victorious from the presidential race. As a substitute of letting Ghana’s younger inhabitants gamble, he would direct his consideration towards using their capabilities to their fullest potential. Particularly, he acknowledged that technological improvements needs to be prioritized to drive the nation’s financial progress.
During the last couple of years, sports activities betting has grow to be considered one of Ghana’s hottest types of leisure, with a surge within the variety of playing operators establishing a foothold within the West African nation. Consequently, playing’s ever-growing attract has provoked in depth discussions in Ghanaian society. Whereas proponents argue that the follow is usually a reputable supply of revenue producing income for the federal government as nicely, opponents are involved about its detrimental affect on younger individuals, particularly playing addictions.
Ghana Income Authority Implements 10% Withholding Tax on Playing
The Ghana Income Authority (GRA) carried out a ten% withholding tax on all sports activities betting actions, video games of probability, and lottery merchandise, relevant from August 15, 2023. This has come because of playing’s rising recognition over the past couple of years. Thus, the income authority of the second-most populous nation in West Africa plans to generate GH¢1.2 billion on the outset of implementation. Expectations previous the preliminary stage attain as a lot as GH¢3 billion in taxation income. The latest governmental measures have provoked collective disfavor, particularly among the many younger inhabitants.
In keeping with Hassan Ayariga, Ghana’s younger inhabitants was drawn to playing, because it perceived it as a supply of revenue, contemplating the excessive unemployment fee within the nation. He highlighted that below his rule, sports activities betting, video games of probability, and lotteries would grow to be unlawful since they promoted laziness in younger individuals. The presidential contender reaffirmed his stance that he would wish their potential to design new applied sciences and enhance the nation’s growth. Ayariga’s sturdy disapproval of playing is a part of his agenda for Ghana’s future progress and its youthful era.
Different political figures in Ghana have additionally voiced their disapproval of playing and sports activities betting. They shared Ayariga’s opinion that the follow promotes idleness among the many younger inhabitants. Kennedy Agyapong is among the many politicians who’ve expressed their assist for the latest implementation of the ten% betting tax, including that “betting is just not something good” and that winnings from it are momentary. As a substitute of counting on their luck, he inspired the younger inhabitants to harness their potential into extra vital avenues of life.
