The Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has accused the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) of harassing businesses with the excuse of tax collection, indicating that the GRA’s tax targets are unrealistic. He noted that the GRA’s action is because the country’s tax base is narrow.
The Vice President pledged to introduce tax reforms such as instituting a flat tax rate in 2025 and providing tax amnesty to all businesses upon assuming office after the General Election. He emphasized that introducing these tax reforms will reduce the financial burden on the taxpayer.
He indicated that Ghana’s taxation system is the way it is because the GRA does not have a broad taxpayer base to collect taxes from and the fact that the government needs revenue to undertake projects.
“Then for them, it is very easy, you go back to where you had it the last time. You go to taxpayers, the people who are already paying taxes, and then you have to come up with a new reason why they should pay more and so you come up with all sorts of stuff.”
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
The Vice President noted that due to the harassment of taxpayers and the need to generate revenue, his government in 2025 will restructure the county’s tax system to ensure that the taxpayer is treated with respect while the government makes revenue from a wider source.
Moreover, Dr. Bawumia emphasized that Ghana has the potential to become the foremost country in the world if the private sector is furnished to play a pivotal role in the country’s economy. He indicated that the government must provide a competitive environment for private businesses to strive and grow.
He further echoed the need to address challenges that prevent the private sector from being more competitive, assuring the private sector of his commitment to partner with the sector, especially the GNCCI, to transform the economy. He asserted that his approach to ensure economic growth would be different from the approach of the incumbent government.
GNCCI To Collaborate With Government
Accordingly, the President of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), Dr. Clement Osei Amoako, stated that the chamber recognizes the efforts of the government in creating a conducive environment for businesses.
He pledged the chamber’s commitment to support any government initiative that aims to improve the operation of private businesses.
Subsequently, the GNCCI also submitted some proposals to the Vice President for consideration. These proposals include the need to remove the COVID-19 levy, a review of duties and levies at the ports, and intermittent power outages.
Moreover, the NPP flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, engaged members of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry to share his vision with the members of the GNCCI.
The flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Bawumia made these remarks at a meeting he had with the GNCCI. He indicated that the meeting is to enable him to get a fair idea of the needs of the business community.
He stressed that the Association represents the voice of the business community in Ghana and serves as a link between the private sector and government at various levels of the economy. He stressed that his Presidential manifesto would outline detailed plans on his ideas to improve the private sector.
The meeting, which brought together more than 200 members of the GNCCI, provided an avenue for members to share ideas and make suggestions to the government on how to improve the business environment for the private sector to thrive.
Dr. Bawumia noted that the government recognizes the important role the private sector plays in the development of the economy and is committed to creating a conducive environment for the sector to thrive.
Conclusively, the Vice President’s meeting with stakeholders in the private sector marks the beginning of his campaign tour in preparation for the 2024 Presidential election.
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