President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Dr Joseph Obeng has expressed disappointment in the government with the approval of the three revenue tax bills.
According to him, businesses are already struggling with “too many taxes” – he claimed that will discourage others to start their own due to the excessive taxes.
“Things are already hard, and it will be worse with these new taxes,” he said.
Parliament on March 31, passed the Income Tax Amendment Bill, Excise Duty Amendment Bill, and Growth and Sustainability Amendment Bill which collectively, are expected to generate approximately GH¢4 billion per year to supplement domestic revenue.
Speaking on NEAT FM’s morning show, Ghana Montie, Dr Obeng bemoaned the sidelining of his union in the passage of these bills.
He said “Government never met us [GUTA] to discuss these new taxes. There was no consultation.”
He therefore tasked the government to look at other sectors to raise revenue other than overly burdening local businesses with taxes.
“You can’t put an extra burden on those who already pay taxes. That is not fair. You are not helping the situation,” he lamented
