New Force founder Nana Kwame Bediako has denied allegations of tax evasion by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The new faction leader made headlines in state newspapers for failing to file personal income tax returns between 2013 and 2016 and was fined GH¢50,000.
The publication dated January 18th also stated that “despite having settled a total of CHF 209,171 between 2018 and 2020, he again did not file a return for 2020 and beyond.” It was written.
Again, the publication reports that the GRA estimates that Mr. Cheddar’s tax liability for 2021-2022 will be CHF2,088,228 and CHF5,096,536, respectively, plus penalties for failing to file a personal income tax return. He added that
However, Mr Bediako believes the GRA wanted to embarrass him and tarnish his reputation, and that he was targeted despite being one of the few individuals who continue to pay taxes. Suggests.
The next generation of leaders speaks. #New Force pic.twitter.com/V9GnNRcLss
— Nana Kwame Bediako (@OsagyefoNKB) January 18, 2024
Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Cheddar, then responded to the tax evasion allegations on social media X on January 18, 2024.
He said this in the local language. “I woke up this morning to find my photo on the cover of multiple publications claiming that I evaded taxes. I’ve been in this country for almost 22 or 23 years. When it comes to taxes, I… We have consistently fulfilled our obligations and will continue to do so.”
Cheddar explained that until now it has been impossible to evade taxes without being identified because he regularly imports goods into the country. He added that even though tax revenues were mostly high, they always ensured prompt payment.
Considering this, he could not understand why the GRA would deliberately release his photo for tax intrusion.
“Given the state of the economy and the hardships we face as a people, it appears that the government is doing nothing to alleviate our hardships.
“The government published my photo in the newspaper with the intention of shaming me. No, you cannot shame someone whom God has given grace to,” he said.
He went on to say that if the GRA believed he was behind in paying his taxes, they could have scheduled a meeting with him instead of relying on the approach they had taken.
Cheddar seized the opportunity to appeal to the government to create more jobs to reduce unemployment, rather than forcing only a few individuals to work to earn a living.
He stressed that he is aware that the government is unable to fulfill its mandate and that is why he intends to become the next president of Ghana. But unlike the government, he will provide evidence of what the tax money is being used for.
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