See How Public Figures Are Reacting To Amin Adam’s “We Did Not Implement Betting Tax” Comment
Former Finance Minister and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Karaga, Dr. Amin Adam, has faced significant backlash for claiming that his government never implemented a betting tax. This statement contradicts the clear evidence that a 10% tax on total earnings, referred to as the betting tax, was indeed deducted from bettors.
NPP Needs A Course On Honesty – Bridgtet Otoo
Prominent Ghanaian media personality Bridget Otoo has voiced strong criticism of the NPP leadership following Dr. Adam’s press conference, where he dismissed claims made by the current administration regarding the betting tax that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) intends to repeal.
In his budget presentation to Parliament on March 11, 2025, Finance Minister Dr. Casiel Ato Forson announced the removal of the betting tax, e-levy, and COVID-19 levy. In response, Dr. Adam asserted that their administration had never enforced the 10% withholding tax on betting earnings, directly contradicting the finance minister’s statements.
This assertion has left many Ghanaians, including Bridget Otoo, confused and frustrated. She did not hold back in her criticism, labeling the NPP leadership as dishonest. “NPP leadership and members need a course on honesty!” she tweeted, urging them to stop what she characterized as “gaslighting” the public.
As the controversy unfolds, bettors affected by the tax have taken to social media to share evidence that the betting tax was indeed in place during the previous administration. Public outrage continues to grow, with dancehall artist Shatta Wale also expressing his discontent with Dr. Amin Adam’s comments.
Shut Up
Following the budget announcement, Shatta Wale shared a video of Dr. Adam denying the existence of the betting tax, captioning it with a pointed critique: “Hey hey shut up there, shut up shut up there, Liar, Judas!” He later released a song titled “Betting Tax,” which criticizes Dr. Adam’s statements and encapsulates the frustrations of many Ghanaians.
In his post promoting the song, Shatta Wale thanked President John Dramani Mahama for prioritizing the youth and reminded leaders that they come and go. “Thanks to our newly elected president for helping the youth of Ghana. Don’t stop thinking about the country first… love always… #oneghana #onepeople,” he wrote.
So Who Was Collecting The Betting Tax?
Captain Planet, a member of the popular Ghanaian music group 4X4, also responded to Dr. Amin Adam’s claims regarding the contentious betting tax. After Dr. Adam questioned the abolition of the 10 percent withholding tax on betting earnings—asserting it was never implemented—social media users reacted strongly.
Captain Planet, whose real name is Sylvanus Dodji Jeoffrey, posed a critical question: if the NPP insists they never implemented the betting tax, who was collecting it? He further called for legal action against those responsible if the tax collection was unauthorized. “NPP people say they never implemented the betting tax, so who was collecting it? We need to find that person and jail them,” he posted.
The budget presented by Minister of Finance Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson included various policy changes, such as abolishing the controversial E-Levy, emissions levy, and betting tax, as promised by President John Dramani Mahama. The ongoing debate surrounding the betting tax has garnered significant attention among Ghanaians, with various celebrities voicing their opinions on the former finance minister’s claims and the potential impact of the proposed tax abolition.
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