The founder of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hassan Ayariga says head porters commonly referred to as Kayayei in the country have been treated unfairly under the Akufo-Addo government.
According to him, the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has made matters worse by encouraging his government to scrap levies collected from them instead of encouraging the young girls to stay up north and learn a trade.
The APC flagbearer claimed about 90 percent of kayayei come from Dr. Bawumia’s village in Walewale in the Northern region.
“90 percent of kayayei come from Bawumia’s hometown and home region. What has he done to better their lives? If we cannot change the plight of kayayei, we should not promote it.
He continued that “On the day of inauguration when I watched on TV, I felt sad. I was out of the country with my family. I cried in my heart, not because of the copied speeches and all that…but how we brought the kayayei to come and march with goods on their heads in front of all those presidents. Will you put your child there to go and parade with a head pan when the head is supposed to be used to develop ICT and computers” he said in an interview on Joy FM’s Morning Show Friday.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta has listed some eight taxes that would be abolished in 2017 when he presented government’s maiden budget to Parliament.
The taxes which include duties on spare parts importation, 17.5 percent VAT on domestic tickets and Kayayei levy among others, are aimed at easing the difficulties in the economy, the Minister has said.
The tax cuts have drawn applause from sections of Ghanaians, especially spare parts dealers at Abossey Okai and the Kayaye Association in Kumasi.
Though Kayaye Association has expressed excitement as government’s decision, Mr. Ayariga maintained that head porters are not supposed to be on the roads.
Mr. Ayariga urged government to create employment benefits and train them in the country.
He said under an APC government, head porters will receive vocational training and employment benefits to ensure they do not fall back on carrying the load for a living.
“When I become president… It’ll be illegal to carry things on your head,” he said.
Listen to Hassan Ayariga
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