Simplifying Tax Administration Will Certainly Help

Operators of Tourism businesses have urged the government to prioritise a one-stop-shop tax regime for the business
community to drive economic growth and job creation.
Mr. Charles Adu-Gyamfi, President of the Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), has expressed concerns that the
numerous taxes currently in place pose a significant threat to investment and business growth.
He stated that there were around 20 taxes and levies imposed by various agencies, including the Ghana Revenue
Authority (GRA), district assemblies, Ghana Fire Service, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), and others.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr. Adu-Gyamfi mentioned that, at times, an entity could pay
as many as 20 different taxes and levies.
He emphasized that a one-stop-shop tax system would benefit the sector but noted that raising these concerns often
led to minimal results.
Mr. Adu-Gyamfi explained that the excessive number of taxes had hindered business growth over the years, citing
the example of hoteliers who, due to these challenges, had been unable to expand their businesses or meet their goals
of increasing room capacity.
"More rooms and other investments for the hoteliers mean more job creation which brings economic value for the
populace and the state.
The Daily Searchlight certainly believes that the economy can benefit from tax rationalization and simplification.
The sheer number of taxes operating in Ghana is a great incentive for a large section of the populace to attempt to
run away from their tax responsibilities.
We believe that the economy will benefit if more people in the informal sector are able to be brought onto the tax
net. But this can only happen, if the tax regime is simplified and made easy to be complied with.
In this wise, we hope that government will listen to the call by Mr. Charles Adu-Gyamfi, President of the Ghana
Tourism Federation in good faith and act on it.
(Editorial of the Daily Searchlight of 24 th January, 2025).