Sampson Asaki Awingobit, Executive Secretary of the Ghana Importers and Exporters Association, has advised the government not to impose any additional taxes in its mid-year budget review.
His remarks follow Ghana’s receipt of $600 million from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of a $3 million three-year extended loan facility.
In an interview with Citi News, Sampson Asaki Awingobit stated that they would oppose any attempt by the government to impose additional levies that would harm their business.
“We hope that now that the IMF money has arrived, the government will not try to impose further levies, since we will reject any effort.” They will shortly read the mid-year budget review, and I urge the administration not to impose any new taxes. Any new taxes will have a negative impact on enterprises, according to Asaki Awingobit.
In a same vein, the country’s business community reacted outrage in April when President Nana Akufo-Addo signed three additional tax levies authorised by Parliament, despite public opposition.
After the passage of the revenue mobilisation measures by Parliament, the business groups GUTA, AGI, and the importers and exporters association petitioned the president on the issue.
They lamented that the plight of businesses will be further compounded if the tax laws were implemented.
