The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), has called on the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, to apologize to its members for claiming that traders exploit Ghanaians and have no moral right to complain about taxes.
In a strongly worded statement, GUTA described the Bekwai MP as arrogant, ignorant and disrespectful and reminded the MP that traders have no choice but to sell products at high prices, due to the number taxes that have been introduced by the government.
Mr. Osei-Owusu is noted to have stated emphatically in an interview that GUTA members “are always talking about taxes, and yet they are over-exploiting Ghanaians, and I’m saying this without fear.”
But GUTA in its response, said its members are patriotic and honest and do not take advantage of their customers.
“We have listened to and read the unguarded statements made by no man of a person, than the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, of the Republic of Ghana. And demand an immediate retraction and unqualified apology to GUTA and all members of the business community.
“We condemn in no uncertain term the statements, and the sheer arrogance and complete ignorance, exhibited on the genuine inputs GUTA made on those three taxes he mentioned.”
GUTA
‘Joewise’ Claims GUTA Has No Rights To Complain Over Tax Hikes
First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu, popularly known as Joewise, incensed over what he calls, over exploitation of Ghanaians, by members of GUTA.
According to the Bekwai MP, GUTA has lost the moral right to complain about tax hikes, alleging that members of the association under-declare their products and also over price their goods, to gain huge profit margins.
Joewise who is unhappy with the current development, was reacting to concerns raised by GUTA over the introduction of the 3 revenue bills approved by parliament.
According to the association, their members are already struggling with their businesses, insisting the 3 newly accepted revenue measures, will impose additional hardship on them.
However, speaking in an interview, Joewise accused members of the association of dishonesty, insisting they (GUTA) are ripping off the Ghanaian consumer.
“GUTA should be fair to this country. They are always talking about taxes and yet, they are over exploiting Ghanaians and I am saying this without fear. I bought this tile you see, in China, some of the highest grade you can get.
“But I bought it for less than a fraction of what they (GUTA) sell it on the market, which is even the weakest in China…I also paid import duties. They are dishonest, they are under-declaring and inflating the prices to make huge profits on any product.”
Joseph Osei-Owusu
He further argued that Ghanaians are not paying enough taxes to cushion government, in its realization of its revenue target. Comparing Ghana to other African countries, the first Deputy Speaker noted that in spite of low tax collection in Ghana, 90% of African countries cannot match Ghana in terms of development.
“If GUTA were to pay the right taxes on imported products, it should reflect in how much revenue we generate. Government runs a budget deficit every year and is compelled to borrow, to finance the budget. So, the truth of the matter is that we (as a nation) are not paying enough taxes.
“90 percent of West African countries cannot match Ghana in terms of development and infrastructure, yet they pay more taxes than us. And yet, the educated ones among GUTA are always complaining about taxes.”
Joseph Osei-Owusu
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