Importers in Ghana have long been vocal about the high port charges they face, calling on the government to intervene. Recently, Dr. Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), proposed a flat tax system to revamp Ghana’s tax structure.
During a visit to Suame Magazine in Kumasi, Dr. Bawumia addressed spare parts dealers and acknowledged the concerns about the current tax system. He announced plans to introduce a flat tax system, where everyone pays the same rate, similar to a tithe.
Dr. Bawumia promised to implement the new tax system by 2025, starting from “ground zero” and offering tax amnesty. However, industry players like Sampson Asaki Awingobit, Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association, are skeptical about the proposal.
Awingobit believes Dr. Bawumia’s comment was made for political gain, calling it a “total scam”. He argued that Ghana’s membership in ECOWAS and the IMF program makes it impossible to reduce revenue for the government.
Tax policy analyst Geoffrey Ocansey also expressed concerns about the long-term implications of the policy, warning it could lead to job losses and shrink government revenue. The debate continues as stakeholders weigh the potential impact of the proposed tax overhaul, with some calling for alternative solutions to alleviate the plight of importers.
