The Export-Import Association of Ghana (IEAG) has condemned its Vice-President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, over recent comments on the affairs of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
In a meeting with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry last week, Dr Bawumia raised concerns about the conduct of GRA officials, alleging harassment of customers under the guise of tax collection.
However, in a statement released on Monday, March 25, IEAG Director-General Samson Asaki Awingobit warned against being swayed a third time by Dr Bawumia’s tactics.
The association called on the vice president to apologize to the business community for failing to fulfill his promise.
They stressed not to be fooled by Dr Bawumia’s unfulfilled promises to secure votes in the upcoming December elections.
“Ghana’s importers and exporters want to tell Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia and others that we will not be victims of their pranks for the third time. We will judge them based on their track record, not on their campaign promises, which are fueled by deception, which is yet another mirage.”
“We would much rather see the vice president apologize to the business community for reneging on his campaign promise, rather than a last-minute populist-led show.”
The association further noted that for the past six years, Dr Bawumia has remained silent on this and other important issues and has failed to urge the GRA to reconsider its tax collection methods.
This lack of action has resulted in many companies being forced out of the country.
“The Ghana Exporters and Importers Association believes that the Vice-President’s recent positions have not changed his image in the eyes of the business community, given the fact that as Vice-President he has remained silent on this issue, among other issues. It can best be described as a populist attempt at redemption, with many companies forced out of the country over the past six years after failing to persuade the Ghana Revenue Authority to change the way it collects taxes. Ta.”
Read the full statement below
press release
We will never be fooled by the sudden voice of “Vice President.”
The Exporters and Importers Association of Ghana (IEAG) has noted with keen interest the recent comments of the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. This comment attempts to use unhealthy food to criticize the operations of the Ghana Revenue Authority. The practice of collecting taxes from businesses to achieve goals.
Despite several petitions from industry stakeholders, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, is now facing concerns that have existed for several years with little or no attempt by his government authorities to address them. It is very alarming and surprising to hear such concerns being expressed.
The Ghana Exporters and Importers Association said that the Vice President’s recent positions have made him more vulnerable in the eyes of the business community, especially considering the fact that he has remained silent on the Ghana issue as Vice President. It can best be described as a populist attempt to salvage one’s image. Over the past six years, many businesses have been forced out of the country after failing to persuade the Ghana Revenue Authority to change the way it collects taxes.
What has caught the public’s attention is the constant harassment by the GRA and the fact that most of the nuisance taxes introduced by the Nana Addo-led government, at which point the Vice President was the head of the economic management team, are more important than profits to the business community. The harm is greater, and the unprecedented relocation of business from Ghana to neighboring Ivory Coast and Togo is a clear example.
Currently, Ghana’s trade volumes have declined significantly, with importers and exporters preferring ports in neighboring countries due to high taxes imposed on importers by the Nana Addo-led government.
IEAG would like to hear from the Vice President why he has been unable to oppose these bad practices by the GRA and the introduction of unfair taxes that have affected goods and services over the past seven years. ing. Is Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia talking about these issues now because he wants power from the very people he betrayed when he promised to move the country from taxation to production? Has he found his voice now, because the election is approaching and he must do something to improve his chances of becoming the next president?
Ghana’s importers and exporters would like to convey to the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and his associates that we will not become the third victim of their shenanigans. We will judge him and others based on their track record, not on their deceptive campaign promises, which will turn out to be another mirage. We would rather see the vice president apologize to the business community for reneging on his campaign promises, rather than this last-minute show of populist leadership.
signed
………………….
Samson Asaki Awingobit
executive secretary
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