The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has urged its members to remain calm and cooperate with the newly introduced tax policy following a meeting with the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwesi Sarpong.
In a statement issued after the engagement on Wednesday February 18, the Association said the GRA clarified that the tax measure has already been passed into law and forms part of the country’s existing legal framework.
According to the Association, the Authority indicated that the policy will be monitored over a six-month period to assess its effectiveness and practical impact. It was also explained that Parliament does not hastily repeal laws, as due process must be followed before any amendments can be made.
The GRA assured the dealers that the objective of the policy is not to impose additional hardship on traders but to ensure that taxes legitimately due to the state are properly paid. The structure of the system, including a 20 percent component, is intended to promote compliance and fairness.
The Association emphasised that there is no cause for unrest and announced that all shops at Abossey Okai will remain open on Monday, with business activities continuing as usual.
However, the group called for intensified public education on the new tax system, noting that only a small number of traders consistently meet their tax obligations, while many others do not. It said this situation places an unfair burden on compliant traders, especially when some non-compliant operators record substantial turnovers.
The Association expressed optimism about the six-month monitoring period and indicated that it hopes the review process, which could inform discussions in Parliament and the mid-year budget, will determine whether the policy should be maintained in its current form or adjusted.
To support the monitoring process, a six-member committee has been established, comprising three representatives from the Ghana Revenue Authority and three from the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA). The committee will assess the impact of the tax policy and make recommendations.
The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association said it remains committed to constructive engagement with the authorities to ensure a fair, transparent and workable tax system for all traders.
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