The Director of Elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Evans Nimako, has said that the collection of taxes is the only way the government can help the country develop.

According to him, it is not advisable to take loans from the IMF where the country would be given conditionalities that may hinder decision making and growth.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Probe on Sunday, Mr. Nimako said, “if you want to get it right, you cannot continue to enjoy from your comfort zone and getting the e-Levy done is possible. You communicate to the good people of Ghana that it is for each and everyone to contribute.”

“Elsewhere, where we are looking for getting support in terms of loans, it is coming to us from the taxes they contribute. I have said a number of times that we all have difficulties saying that it is not comfortable (paying taxes including e-Levy) but that is the only way for us to develop. Do you want the conditionalities imposed on us under John Mahama and Prof Atta Mills?” Mr. Nimako quizzed.

The topic for discussion on the show was, “Breaking the 8: Unpacking the NPP’s Re-organization Strategy. The discussion touched among others, on whether or not the proposed e-levy will affect the chances of the party in ‘breaking the 8’ come 2024- winning the presidential elections on three consecutive occasions.

The NPP’s Director of Elections said although many have suggested different options, including applying for loans, the government’s economic management team believes that generating revenue is a better option in ensuring funds are raised for development.

His comment follows much opposition to the implementation of the Electronic Transaction Levy(e-levy).

The levy is being introduced to “widen the tax net and rope in the informal sector. Following the opposition, the government embarked on some Town Hall meetings to enlighten Ghanaians on the need for the levy.

Meanwhile, Mr. Nimako believes that following the town hall meetings, many Ghanaians, under the circumstance, are coming to terms with the fact that the country needs to find solutions to development by itself.

“So for us as New Patriotic Party, we support the government to come out with an arrangement that will ensure a home base solution for us to have plans to support our local development and transforming the lives of people,” he added.

He however, noted that the government still needs to continue to explain properly, the e-Levy to the other sections of the population that are still opposing the Bill.