The Leadership of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Dr. Joseph Obeng is appealing to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to reach out to them via education and not intimidation by some recalcitrant officers.
According to GUTA, considering the level of cooperation that exists between the two entities, it is not happy about the unorthodox methods exhibited.
Addressing Journalists at a news conference on Wednesday, President of GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng said “Having gone through all these challenges and frustrations to clear our goods at the ports, we are again confronted with Tax Forces, and Post Clearance Officers who would be policing and frustrating us to a very embarrassing point”
He added that the unfortunate incident is happening to only a few businesses that have been captured into the Tax Net.
The President of GUTA hinted that fatigue is gradually setting in and the few victimized Taxpayers are feeling the effects of the heavy toll adding that it has gotten to the extent where members have started complaining bitterly and sparking agitations.
“We went through lockdown, unable to travel because of the disease, as well as the subsequent shut down of Airports. It has also affected our ability to service our loans, changed demand patterns as well, and in all, affected businesses to the point of total collapse. Under this circumstance, we did our best to serve the people of Ghana and sustained ourselves” he mentioned.
He noted that the global upsurge of the pandemic has led to the astronomical increase in the world commodity prices, prolonged production and delivery periods.
Dr. Obeng says he is hopeful, the candid appeal from his outfit would be adhered to in the interest of National Development in the midst of the pandemic.
The beginning of this year, 2021 also saw the global upsurge of the pandemic, which has led to an astronomical increase in world commodity”
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith