The Greater Accra Regional Chairman for the Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), Nana Kwabena Peprah, has alleged that Nigerian and other foreign traders operating in the Ghanaian retail sector are failing to comply fully with the national tax system.
He argues this non-compliance is the primary factor contributing to unfair market competition, enabling these foreign businesses to sell goods at significantly cheaper prices than local Ghanaian enterprises.
In an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Chairman Peprah noted that this issue is compounded by the fact that foreigners are engaging in retail trade, a sector legally restricted to Ghanaian citizens under the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act, 2013 (Act 865).
Mr. Peprah specifically stated that foreign retailers bypass costs associated with the formal Ghanaian tax structure, including customs duties, Value Added Tax (VAT), and other levies.
He illustrated the disparity with a comparative example:
“I travelled to Dubai with a foreign counterpart and purchased goods at the same cost. Upon returning, my counterpart utilized a different shipping and logistics route, resulting in duty and tax payments significantly lower than mine. My payments—approximately 55% to 60%—fund government initiatives like the Free Senior High School (SHS) program and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). However, my counterpart’s combined costs were estimated to be around 18%.”
“This situation is purely unfair. If Ghanaian traders were to adopt the same non-compliant methods, it would severely undermine the country’s revenue generation required for national transformation.”
Chairman Peprah concluded with a warning, stating that the failure to enforce existing laws could lead to future economic difficulties. He also urged the public to understand that Ghanaian traders’ concerns stem from a commitment to the rule of law and national development, rather than greed.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
