Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu drags Mahama to Assemblies Of God over betting tax

• Posted on August 15, 2024August 15, 2024
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Former Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has pledged to petition the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church to call John Dramani Mahama to order.

This follows a promise made by former President John Dramani Mahama to promote betting by removing taxes on betting if elected.

Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu expressed concerns over the pledge, citing worries about its potential impact on the country’s youth.

Speaking on Angel FM, Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu argued that the betting tax is in place to discourage excessive gambling and encouraged the General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God Church, which both he and Mahama attend, to address the matter.

“I attend the same church as Mahama. We both attend Assemblies of God, and our General Superintendent is Rev. Wengam. I will have to petition him to call Mahama to order because of his intention to remove betting tax,” he told Kumasi-based Angel FM.

He is worried about the direction the former president is going just because he wants to annex power from the NPP.

To him, it’s either the former President wants to make Ghana a betting hub to destroy the country’s youth.

Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu questioned Mahama’s motivations, suggesting that removing the tax could lead to an increase in betting and potentially harm the country’s youth.

“As a Christian, I believe everyone should earn from their work. The Bible is against betting, that’s my understanding. The government imposed the betting tax to discourage people from focusing on betting, similar to taxes on alcoholic drinks and cigarettes to limit their usage,” the Suame MP said.

“If you remove the tax from alcoholic beverages, you are encouraging people to drink more. Is it Mahama’s intention to turn the country into a betting hub by removing the tax? Betting is not a profession, so if you are a Christian and you intend to do this, it’s questionable.”

He also referenced religious grounds, citing the Bible’s stance against betting.

The debate highlights differing opinions on the role of government in regulating gambling and the potential consequences of such policies.

Meanwhile, former President Mahama’s campaign team are yet to respond to Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu’s concerns.

–BY Daniel Bampoe