Ghanaian musician, Stonebwoy, has expressed his interest to aid in educating individuals in the creative industry about paying taxes.
According to Stonebwoy, he is available to work hand in hand with the Ghana Revenue Authority to educate creatives who don’t have ample knowledge about paying taxes.
The DefJam Records signee mentioned that a lot more education is needed to get his colleagues in tune with paying taxes. He stressed that he personally agrees that paying taxes is very important for national development, however, he questioned how can industry players pay their taxes when they are not making enough?
“Everything is taxable if the government wants to tax it. But how we will feel okay paying the tax is also another thing. If we are not making real money from where you are taxing us as creatives then we can’t even pay the money. With the creative side, we will need more education and help. I am available to offer my time and get to do business with GRA to be able to help conscientize and structure how this can be done”.
Stonebwoy
This conversation was on the heels of comments made by the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Mark Okraku-Mantey, who made a call on the government to focus on taxing online activities now that the electronic levy has been successfully passed. According to him, SMEs cannot thrive because of huge financial obligations. However, if the tax scope is spread to cover online businesses, the revenue would still trickle in but not from a few overburdened ones.
Stonebwoy’s Delay to perform at VGMA was intentional
In the same vein, Stonebwoy revealed that his performance at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMAs) held over the weekend, was intentionally delayed.
According to him, even though the delay was longer than expected, the production team wanted his arrival on stage to be a surprise to the audience and viewers. However, the delay rather left the audience and viewers at home questioning whether or not he would show up to perform.
“Honestly, I don’t know what was happening in the back [to cause the delay] but we all understand stuff happen and eventually we had a good show,” Stonebwoy explained. “The plan was not to come on the stage immediately, so it worked (in our favor). It’s been a while since I have been on there, so the plan was supposed to make it feel like I won’t be there”.
Stonebwoy noted that even a member of his team thought he had left for home because the event had run on for too long.
“I think I pulled it off, so well enough that I honestly confused everybody,” Stonebwoy noted.
The ‘You only know my name’ singer further speaking mentioned that even though he had a good performance eventually, he believes more can be done to improve live performances, especially at award shows.
“Honestly speaking, the venues that we have here, we are trying to maximize what we can do in terms of art and being creative. We are trying. If God willing, we do get better, maybe one time before you realize I’m just showing up in the sky, somehow,” Stonebwoy said.
Stonebwoy returned to the VGMA stage after a two-year absence. He won three awards; Music For Good, Vodafone Green, and Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year.
Read also: Transport Fares Increment: I Think The GPRTU Erred- GRTCC
