Close to 200 shops in parts of the Kumasi Metropolis have been locked up by a task force from the Ghana Revenue Authority as part of ongoing tax compliance measures on Wednesday, April 16.
According to officers from the Ashanti New Town Taxpayer Service Center, the affected shop owners have defaulted on their tax obligations despite several notices and reminders urging them to settle their debts.
Shop owners around the Airport Roundabout area, Asafo, and Amakom have been left stranded after discovering additional padlocks on their facilities, along with GRA seals pasted on the entrances.
The Ghana Revenue Authority expressed concern over the reluctance of some individuals in the informal sector to pay taxes, citing low sales and other challenges as reasons given by defaulters.
However, some of the affected shop owners claimed they were not informed about the operation.
Chief Revenue Officer and Compliance Unit Head at the Ashanti New Town Taxpayer Service Center, Henry Prince Gyan, insisted that prior notice was given to the shop owners before the exercise was carried out.
He confirmed that the office has raised over two hundred thousand Ghana cedis after some affected shop owners paid their debts to have their shops reopened.
“At times, we realise they internationally do not want to pay, so at times we apply a little bit of force to put them in line. We sent them invitation letters earlier, before we locked up. Some have received the invitation letters, but they refuse to come. So, to go out and inform them about the operation, we will not,” he revealed.
