Constitution Day Is Not An Idle Holiday - Interior Minister

Interior Minister Ambrose Dery has dismissed all claims that the January 7 set aside by government to celebrate Ghana’s constitutional rule is an idle holiday. Interacting with the media, the Minister said such assertions are all false as the day creates the opportunity to reflect on the country’s democratic governance. This is also the 8th

Parliament and probably when the President decided and we also went to the Parliament to declare January 7 Constitutional Day, some people thought it was an idle holiday. It is not an idle holiday. We want the people to wake up from complacency that we also think we have also arrived as a multi-party democracy. Yes within the

region we are a shinning example but I believe the Constitutional Day should give us an opportunity to reflect, improve and consolidate, he said. According to Mr Ambrose Dery, Ghanaians should work towards becoming more tolerant. One aspect of our democratic attitude that we must develop and build on is tolerance.

Tolerance of different views and that is what we need to build on. He referenced the current impasse in Parliament over the approval of the electronic transaction levy (e-levy) to underscore the need for tolerance What is happening in Parliament now in the Fourth Republic is a matter of concern. I say so and I

want to put it in context. The constitution requires that we are tolerant and I am looking forward to us doing the right thing. Tolerating each others views in Parliament and reflecting the nature of the people we represent and continue to build our democracy. That is what I look forward to, the Nandom MP explained. On the e-levy

initiative suggested by government to widen its net tax the Interior Minister also said the initiative has been misunderstood. The E-levy is being misunderstood, therefore I am calling on all concerned to reconsider and support us moving forward to help us get the necessary resources to build Ghana and move towards

a Ghana Beyond Aid. Mr Ambrose Dery stated that the resources generated will be used to construct roads and provide job opportunities for the unemployed youth in the country.