The Central Regional Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Bernard Allotey Jacobs has warned the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government to be wary of the curses from Ghanaians should they increases taxes.

According to him, President Akufo-Addo led the famous 'Kumepreko' demonstration in 1995 against the Rawlings government to protest the introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) which led to the death of some individuals.

His comments comes after speculations that the Akufo-Addo led government plans to increase the tax from 17.5% to 21%.

President Akufo-Addo, then Member of Parliament of Abuakwa South, together with Mr Kwesi Pratt Jnr, Dr. Wereko Brobbey, Akoto Ampaw and Napoleon Abdulai and sympathizers of the opposition New Patriotic Party in 1995 staged a massive demonstration against the Rawlings administration over its plan to introduce VAT.

The ‘Kume preko’ demonstration, the largest in Ghana’s history, was in protest against the high cost of living and the then government’s decision to introduce VAT.

The demonstration was initially billed as a peaceful protest but quickly became violent when unidentified assailants shot live bullets into the crowd resulting in the deaths of six protesters.

Speaking on Accra based Peace FM, Mr. Allotey Jacobs indicated that he holds the view that after Nana Akufo Addo vehemently opposing VAT, it will be unconscionable to see an increase in taxes under his regime as President at a time that Ghanaians are reeling under economic hardship.

He stated; “If the NPP led government increases VAT, it’ll be a great curse upon them. You can’t spit and take it back. I want the President to know that Ghanaians are suffering. People are complaining at the market, in trotro, on the streets, everywhere. Common staple foods have become extremely expensive. The people of Ghana did not ask the government to introduce Free SHS, the President himself made that promise so we thought money for that project was set aside already, little did we know that taxes will have to be increased to support such project.”