The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Union of Traders Association, Mr. Anthony Oppong, has advised the government to cut down on public expenditure instead of increasing the tax burden of the average Ghanaian.
Speaking on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5 FM, he said the government can reduce expenditure by eliminating some privileges enjoyed by appointees instead of introducing new taxes in the 2024 budget.
He stated that it would be insensitive for the government to continue taxing Ghanaians, but they are not prepared to cut down on expenditure, especially on the privileges enjoyed by appointees.
He was speaking ahead of the budget presentation by Ken Ofori-Atta, scheduled for November 15, 2023.
He lamented that the current taxes in the country were so high, and that has affected trading in the country.
According to him, the government should avoid enacting additional taxes and instead focus on broadening the tax net so that all those who deserve to pay taxes do so.
“We would advise the government to cut down on expenditures. You cannot keep taxing the people and keep introducing new taxes,” he stressed.
He also served notice that traders would be forced to pass on the new taxes to Ghanaians.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Yapei-Kusawgu, John Jinapor, has disclosed that the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, intends to raise an additional GH₵11 billion through the imposition of new taxes in the 2024 Budget.
According to him, this was revealed to them when they met with the minister at the Finance Committee of Parliament.
He said it would not be proper for the government to introduce new taxes.
“We just met the Minister of Finance at the Finance Committee and the minister indicated that he intends to raise an additional GH₵11 billion which is about 1 percent of GDP but we have told him that we think that the people have been taxed so much so it will be inappropriate to come with new taxes rather the minister should look at cost cutting,” Jinapor said.
“I think that it is improper and unacceptable to further come out with new taxes and increase the tax burden on Ghanaians.”
The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, is set to deliver the government’s 2024 Annual Budget Statement and Economic Policy to Parliament on November 15, 2023.
By: Rashid Obodai Provencal/Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
