The Chief Execu­tive Officer (CEO) of Visionary Organisational Development and Entrepreneurial Club (VODEC) Africa, Mr Daniel Asomani, has called for the scrap­ing of the COVID-19 tax and the E-levy for it to be replaced with the Climate Change levy.The Climate Change Levy (CCL) will be an environmental tax charged on the energy that businesses use.

It will be a means of encouraging businesses to be more energy efficient in how they operate, and aims at reducing the overall emissions that businesses produce.He explained that the imple­mentation of the climate levy was important as it could serve as a tool to empower the country to tackle climate change while strengthening economic growth.He also said the adoption of such a levy would ensure that the country took ambitious action on both mitigation and adaptation, and to create green jobs opportu­nities would attract and inspire the youth to be innovative.Mr Asomani was speaking at this year's national emerging lead­er's forum held at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) in  Accra last week. The forum, which was or­ganised by VODEC Africa, was under the theme: 'Leading for Sustainable Economic Growth in a Multipolar World: The Role of Emerging Leaders,' and was attended by representatives of the various political parties and students.

According to Mr Asomani, it was important for the proposed climate levy to be designed in a way that ensured inclusivity, sus­tainability, efficiency, and effective­ness within the corporate sector."By embracing this bold shift, we can establish a fairer tax system that empowers our youth, drives economic growth, and priorities the health of our planet.

Let us invest in a future where young Ghanaians can change toward a sustainable and prosperous Gha­na," Mr Asomani said.He further called for closer collaboration between all relevant stakeholders such as the govern­ment, private sector, civil society organisations, and the youth in the implementation of the climate levy.Mr Asomani also urged presi­dential candidates contesting the December 7 general election to consider policies that focused on youth investment, industrialisa­tion, support for local businesses, and good governance.The Founder and President of Worldwide Miracle Outreach, (WMO) Dr Lawrence Tetteh, add­ed that emerging leaders must be courageous and push for agenda that would bring development to the country."Emerging leaders must rise up to their responsibilities, when you sit down and let others make de­cision for you it will only benefit those making those decisions", he added.