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Aggrieved Central Regional branch of Ghana Union Traders Associations(GUTA) has appealed to the government to call officials Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA) to stop chasing and policing traders like armed robbers due to tax invigilation exercise.
They want the government to as a matter of urgency withdraw GRA officers from their shops or they will be compelled to stage a massive demonstration and characterized by the closure of their shops in the Central Region.
“The leadership of Central Region GUTA herewith humbly submit our members and the entire business fraternity with concerns for public consumption culminated by impasse with the GRA due to the tax invigilation exercise by the outfit in selected shops which we deem inappropriate, untimely, unacceptable and an infringement on our rights as law-abiding business executives”. They said in a statement at a press conference.
The Central Regional Secretary of GUTA, Mr. Martin Osei-Owusu stated that Foreigners who are doing business are not paying taxes but GRA are chasing Ghanaian traders like armed robbers.
He said the money they are using to trade is bank loans with huge interest so there is a need for GRA to consider their plight before engaging in acts that threaten the survival of their businesses.
“It is our shops and not the government properties so the GRA should stop chasing and policing us like thieves” he warned
Mr. Osei-Owusu said the step being taken by the Ghana Revenue Authority is either to increase unemployment because they(traders) may be compelled to close their shops or want them to perceive taxation as a punishment instead of a civic right.
He revealed that the percentage of payments for shops with disparities was unacceptable because some shops pay 4% and others pay about 22% while others pay nothing.
“The way and the manner GRA is collecting tax at our shops is unfair so GRA should sit down with us and collect the tax flat rate for everybody to pay it” Mr. Osei-Owusu appealed.
“We are ready to use all lawful avenues to resist all forms of unproductive policies to destroy our business and existence and that we would demonstrate fully to achieve our desires as GUTA has been successful in such strides in Accra, Kumasi, Koforidua for which the GRA is fully aware” Mr. Osei-Owusu stressed.
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