Ghanaian actress, Habiba Sinare, has responded to a comment made by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mark Okraku Mantey, that government must now focus on getting taxes from other online activities.
Responding to the comment made by the Minister, the Ghanaian actress who doubles as a movie producer, averred that there wouldn’t be a problem for people in the creative arts industry to pay tax, however, the government must “sow in the industry first before reaping”.
“Dear Sir, I will personally not have any problems contributing to my nation’s growth. But then I am pleading with the government to consider investing in the entertainment & Art industry. They will be amazed at how much revenue they will generate from us,” Habiba said.
Suggesting how the government can invest in the sector, she said “build cinemas for us in every region (or major regions), and create a state-owned online streaming platform that will only have Ghanaian entertainment. The world is basically online now. We only understand online language. [The government needs to] own our industry”.
According to Habiba, this will help expand the entertainment industry and also create room for employment.
“More work to do, more people employed. You pay well! You tax us! We pay Taxes! Country moves forward!” says Habiba.
Habiba, sharing her thoughts in a series of tweets, concluded that “people go through a lot to even get content to post on their YouTube channels. Long and short of it, please only reap when you have sown! I mean no harm or disrespect; this is just a humble request”.
It can be recalled that the Deputy Minister for Tourism suggested that the government, after its successful passage of the E-Levy bill, must consider means to collect tax from Ghanaian YouTubers and others who make revenue from online businesses.
“My creative people are selling on YouTube, iTunes, bolt foods, uber. People are now buying clothes online; are they paying anything to the government? No! I think after the momo, I think we need to go heavily online and then cyber to see what we can get from there”.
Mark Okraku Mantey
Habiba Sinare Speaks for Youth
Habiba Sinare, who is also known for her philanthropic work, is gradually becoming a leading voice for the youth and the new generation of actors. She recently held a press conference to announce the release of ‘Kadara’, a new movie she has produced.
At the press conference attended by some vetran actors including Fred Amugi, Anthony Woode and other casts of the movie, Miss Sinare pleaded with the government to turn to the needs of National Service personnel.
“My role, Yasira, she’s a National Service personnel, and it made me research more about the service scheme. I put myself in their shoes and I want to tell them that we actually see what they are going through. I am hoping and praying the government does something about their payment”.
Habiba Sinare
The actress emphasized that a lot of parents have taken their wards to school hoping they start to bring something during their national service, however, it becomes a nightmare. She then pleaded with the government to address the situation.
‘Kadara’, the movie, is set to premiere on the 7th of May 2022 at the Silverbird Cinemas in Accra Mall and West Hills Mall.
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