Elvis Osei Mensah Dapaah, MP for Ahafo Ano South West, has accused the NDC government of encouraging gambling among the youth by abolishing the betting tax. He believes this decision will lead young people to abandon their jobs in favor of betting, which he views as a harmful activity. Dapaah claims the government’s actions promote gambling rather than employment stability.
In a recent statement, Elvis Osei Mensah Dapaah, the Member of Parliament representing Ahafo Ano South West, criticized the ruling government for seemingly promoting betting by eliminating the controversial betting tax. He expressed concerns that this policy encourages Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to forsake their employment in favor of gambling as a purported means of financial gain.
Dapaah argues that while gambling might result in financial returns for some, it is detrimental to the youth and should be actively discouraged. He perceives the government’s action to abolish betting taxes as a catalyst for young people to vacate their jobs and engage more in gambling activities.
In an interview on Oyerepa TV dated March 17, 2025, he asserted, “The cancellation of the betting tax says a lot to us…betting is a scam. We should not encourage the idea of abolishing the betting tax.” He further stated, “I will say the NDC government wants to destroy Ghanaian youth by forcing them into betting. Now, even old women and men will engage in betting. It is clear that the NDC government wants to promote gambling.”
When queried regarding the likelihood of his constituents abandoning farming for betting, he replied, “Obviously, the majority of them will go and bet.” This reflects his apprehension regarding the potential ramifications of the government’s betting policies.
The assertions made by Elvis Osei Mensah Dapaah spotlight significant concerns regarding the potential consequences of the government’s decision to abolish the betting tax. His argument suggests that such a policy could lead the Ghanaian youth towards gambling, compromising their employment prospects. The statement calls for a careful reconsideration of government policies impacting youth engagement in activities such as betting.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
