The tax regime in Ghana has undergone a number of adjustments and changes in recent times. These changes have affected different groups of which young people are included.

In September, 2018, SEND Ghana held its 1^st Quarterly Review Meeting at the Holy Spirit Cathedral. The meeting sought to have reviews from their respective stakeholders on activities done in reference to their ongoing project. Organisations present included Youth Groups, Persons with Disability (PWD’s), Mother Club/Women’s groups, Market Women Association and the Artisan Associations.

Research shows that young entrepreneurs are struggling to maintain their businesses because they pay a lot more on taxes than they earn from their businesses. The essence of taxation is to contribute to national development and not to stifle citizens. A participant at the event cited an example of one very successful yoghurt entrepreneur who had to bring his business to a halt because he barely made the profits he anticipated. There are a lot more stagnant youth-led businesses out there and this is not a good sign of progress and development for the nation.

Edmund Agbeve, the Chapter Clubs Manager for CYIB-Curious Minds Ghana mentioned that as part of the organisations activities, education on the need to pay taxes and having Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) is being done on air and online. This is the organisation’s way of holding each and every one accountable towards national development.

Suggestions from other group members in the meeting emphasized the need for the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to enlighten young people more on the special exemptions they might be entitled to especially for young entrepreneurs.

Some PWD’s at the meeting mentioned that access to the GRA premises is a problem for them let alone getting the TIN forms from and to the place. “Even though most of us have an idea of what the TIN is about, we are not well skilled with the internet to download the forms” said one participant at the event. Another participant lamented that paying taxes has been difficult because customers do not patronize their product and services simply because they have one disability or another. “Most of us are street vendors and the profit from the sales are very scanty. We live from hand to mouth each day. How do we then contribute our quota to national development?” said a PWD.

The Mother Club/Women’s group elaborated on their successful radio and television programmes. They suggested that since GRA is understaffed as alleged, the organization can employ people on commission basis to help in the TIN registration work. This will even create temporary employment for some young people.

Another challenge raised by a participant at the meeting was the issue of fake tickets being sold at the market place. She described how her ordeal with one middle-aged man went sour. Apparently, she had heard rumours of such transactions in the market until it happened to her. She called on the GRA and its respective bodies to take the issue on and ensure all offenders face the rigours of the law.

Members of the Market Women Association included the Odorna Market, the Makola Market, and Tema Station Markets. A representative of this group also narrated her ordeal at GRA. She recalled that the nature of their work does not give them the luxury of time to be away from their goods and wares. As a result they put their forms together and sent the bulk forms to the GRA. Unfortunately, the process did not even commence as they were rejected on the spot. These are very sensitive issues the GRA must address.

Send Ghana in their closing remarks mentioned that every citizen of the Ghanaian economy is very important to the state and so must be specially catered for in all aspects. Citizens will willingly and freely contribute taxes to the state if they are well informed on taxation and its procedures. They will in turn create more job opportunities so they still make good profit and give the state what is due them.

Christine Maame Aba Buabin

Communications and Advocacy Officer,

CYIB-Curious Minds