• About Us
  • Contact Us
Account
GTB
  • Home
  • News
  • Premium
  • Business
  • Personal Finance
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Retail/Fashion
  • Podcast
    • Business Chat
    • Retiring Richly
    • Sika Nkommo
  • Videos
  • Analysis/Features
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Premium
  • Business
  • Personal Finance
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Retail/Fashion
  • Podcast
    • Business Chat
    • Retiring Richly
    • Sika Nkommo
  • Videos
  • Analysis/Features
No Result
View All Result
Account
Ghana Talks Business
No Result
View All Result

Increment in ‘talk tax’ surprising – Ken Ashigbey

30/07/2019
Reading Time: 2 mins read
ken_ashigbey
0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsApp

The Chief Executive Officer for the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications, Ken Ashigbey has described as surprising, government’s decision to increase the communication service tax from 6% to 9%.

According to Mr. Ashigbey, unlike past situations, extensive consultations were not held before such a decision was made.

“What has happened for this government is that before the reading of the budget or mid-year budget review, there is normally an engagement. There is a forum called the tax dialogue where Ministry of Finance, GRA and the tax consultants, we all sit together [to hold consultations]. This did not happen before this mid-year review so for us this came as a surprise. We were not expecting communication tax to go up.”

The Minister in justifying the need for the increase said it was to create a viable technology ecosystem in the country.

Government proposes to increase the tax to nine percent to develop the foundation for the creation of a viable technology ecosystem in the country. This will comprise amongst others putting in systems to identify and combat cybercrime, protect users of information technology and combat money laundering and other financial crimes. The increase will not be earmarked, however, the sharing ratio will be adjusted in such a manner that the national youth employment programmes continue to receive the same proportions as they are currently receiving,” the minister said.

The tax which was introduced in 2008 is charged on the use of communication services in the country including voice calls.

Data from the Ministry of Finance showed that in 2018, the government accrued GH¢420 million from the tax.

In a realated development, the Chief Executive Officer for the Consumer Protection Agency, Kofi Kapito has expressed reservations about the increment, describing it as a lazy approach.

“It is a sad day for consumers in Ghana, especially consumers of telecommunications and consumers that are impacted with the new levy and fuel. We are talking about expanding the digital age, so it should be affordable rather than being expensive.”

“Last year, it came out that in terms of data, Ghana stands out as one of the most expensive data countries in the world so how are we going to catch up with the rest of the world? I think that it is a lazy man’s approach… There are so many ways government can maximize taxes to increase revenue,” he said.

Previous Post

2019 WASSCE: WAEC withholds 48,855 candidates results

Next Post

This is how much Ghana has spent on financial sector clean up

Related Posts

Taxation vs free market, ghanatalksbusiness.com

Taxation vs. Free Market

31/01/2022
tax waiver on sanitary products

Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection proposes tax waiver on sanitary products

31/05/2021
free-zones in Ghana

All you need to know about Free zones in Ghana

14/05/2021
Tax evasion and digitization, ghanatalksbusiness.com

Here are Ghana’s tax incentives available to business persons & entrepreneurs

02/11/2020
depositors of collapsed banks

Do not overtax Ghanaian Businesses that are booming amid Covid-19- View from a tax expert

06/05/2020
The Picture of Abeku Gyan-Quansah

A Partner at PwC calls on GRA to institute benchmark for valuing properties in Ghana

18/02/2020
Next Post

This is how much Ghana has spent on financial sector clean up

petrol_and_disel

FUEL WATCH: Fuel prices to go up as gov’t increases ESLA levies

  • About Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

© 2021 Ghana Talks Business

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Premium
  • Business
  • Personal Finance
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Retail/Fashion
  • Podcast
    • Business Chat
    • Retiring Richly
    • Sika Nkommo
  • Videos
  • Analysis/Features
  • Login

© 2021 Ghana Talks Business

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In