Rt Rev Dr Lt Col Divine Agbeko, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana (EPCG) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to eliminate what he described as “naughty stealing taxes.”

Dr Agbeko criticised the current tax policies, introduced by the outgone Akufo-Addo government, highlighting that they repeatedly tax the same money, burdening citizens.

Speaking at the induction service for Pr. Dr. Mrs. Salomey Praise Otami-Abutiate as Presbyter Executive of the General Assembly of the EPCG at the Elorm Parish in Ho, he suggested that the tollbooth tax should be reintroduced to maintain roads.

Dr Agbeko even offered to take charge of road tax collection, promising to build roads efficiently if given the opportunity.

“Take the naughty stealing taxes that can even tax money in your pocket after it has been taxed, they will tax it again. You want to send money, they will take it again. So, everywhere, they are just sucking from you. Take those naughty taxes away and do something better that will replace the tax.

“You can use the tollbooth tax to maintain roads. The tollbooth tax is not to be consumed by those who take the ticket and chop. If you like, give it to me. If you like give the road tax collection to me, and I will start building the roads. If you like try me,” he stated.

Acknowledging the challenges Mahama faces, Dr Agbeko emphasised the importance of learning from past mistakes.

He urged Mahama to avoid favoritism and cronyism, and to prioritise the interests of Ghana over individual gains.

Dr Agbeko stressed that Mahama must act in the best interest of the nation, rather than succumbing to pressures from friends, family, and cronies.

“Mahama will have a hard time, but with the help of God and learning from the past, the experience, he must not repeat those things for which he was labelled incompetent. He must not repeat them.

“He should not look into the faces of friends, families, and cronies and say you take here, you take here. That attitude will not help him. He must choose and do things in the interest of the good of Ghana. Not for an individual,” he said.