The decision by the Akufo-Addo-led government to scrap market tolls imposed on itinerant head porters (Kayayei) as announced by Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta in the government’s first budget statement, is deceptive because such a tax does not exist, Dr Benjamin Kunbuor has said.
The toll is among several taxes lined up by the government to be scrapped completely or reduced so as to bring relief to the ordinary Ghanaian and the business community.
Apart from the Kayayei market toll, excise duty on petroleum products will also be scrapped. The government also intends to reduce the special petroleum tax rate on petrol from 17.5% to 15%.
Other taxes that will be completely abolished include the following:
1. The 1% special import levy
2. The 17.5% VAT on financial services
3. The 17.5% VAT on selected imported medicines not produced locally
4. The 17.5% VAT on domestic airline tickets
5. The 5% VAT on real estate sales
6. Duty on importation of spare parts
Also, the 17.5% VAT imposed on traders has been replaced with a 3% flat rate, while businesses that employ young graduates from tertiary institutions will get tax credits and other incentives.
Furthermore, there will be tax incentives for young entrepreneurs while the Corporate Income Tax will be progressively reduced from 25% to 20% in 2018.
Additionally, Mr Ofori-Atta said the Akufo-Addo government will initiate steps to remove import duties on raw materials and machinery for production.
However, speaking in an interview with Class FM just after the Finance Minister’s presentation, Dr Kunbour said: “I don’t believe we need to start christening children that are not yet born, what we have now are proposals and we will get to the substance of it later. But I want it to be on record that there is no national tax on Kayayei for it to be a subject of comment.”
“Secondly, let us be very clear in our mind that there is no electrification levy. We used to have an electrification levy that was about 0.004 per cent that has since been scrapped, and, so, if you claim that you are removing the electrification levy, then it doesn’t exist.”
Source: classfmonline.com
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I'm very surprised at these people. Still living in a phools paradise. The Minister said that "abolish the tax imposed by local government". What don't you understand. Or you think the word "government" means central government.
Were we not cursing ourselves taking taxes, whether local or district or national or international or intercontinental, Dr. Kumbour, from these vulnerable people? So i go to the market and buy things i cant carry. A street girl that govt has failed to be responsible towards her by not giving a future, helps me to carry my goods and later sleeps in mosquitoes street. Then a govt of no shame taxes this girl 1 cedi every day. What was so disheartening was the fact that these monies ended in the pockets of the men in air-condition and in ties. You charge people who sleep on the street? Have you no conscience? If was not a tax, was it a cake?
Sometimes you cannot understand how some of these northners think because to me they can be so callous to their own peopleno wonder there some much killing up north; DR Kumbour should be told that a tax is a tax and that these 'kayayei' mostly from the north pay local taxes to the area authorities including the AMA and KMA ; some even do not have places to sleep and sleep on the streets with their children VERY SAD !!!!!!; these northner MPs instead of them being grateful for such tax relif starts questioning the relevance of scrapping such tax ; Jon Mahama was called a WICKED person by his own relative Otiko but people did not understand and wanted her apologise now we can see how these WICKED northners are to their own people ; these Kayayei have nothing and are very very poor people and instead of the NDC to be creative and create jobs to help them in the north they rather gang up and still the monies meant for that area and when Nana Addo shows MERCY and gives them some small tax relief their northner MP's including OKO VADERPUJE another 'GA NYO BULUUUUUUU!!!!! AND A THIFF seem to be against it ; WHAT KIND OF EVIL PEOPLE ARE THESE NDC PEOPLE; 'NEVER AGAIN LIKE THE JEWS SAID' SHALL GHAIANS VOTE FOR NDC AGAIN !!!!!VERY STRANGE PEOPLE !!!!!
Dr. Kumbour did you hear the former Accra Mayor saying if the Kayayei tax has been scrapped then all market tolls and taxes should be scrapped? What does that tell you? Does it not imply that the Kayayei are being tasked? So where from the claim that the tax does not exist? Again., go unto all the news portals and you will see for yourself how the porters are jubilating at the announcement that they should no longer pay tax. Why would they jubilate when there was no such tax? Please you are old and you have to use your gumption not your emotion. NDC led by Mahama and Tekper failed big time.
Dr. Kumbour please the minister did not say the NATIONAL Kaya Yie Tax has been abolished. Whether it is national or local, the most important thing is that this nuisance tax has been abolished and will give some relief to the already poor head porters. Skin pain go kill NDC people
Please Dr Kunbour is right. AMA tolls are not National tax and not imposed by the government. The honorable Minister should have clarified this. Most tolls taken by respective Metropolis are taken by their outfits, and they are used for developments of such precints.
NDC still doing propaganda in opposition? John Mahama should have been the one to abolish any form of tax paid by these poor KAYAYEI but instead he behaved like a KONONGO KAYA.
pls ask any woman and the kayayei themselves and they will tell you. this is no propaganda issue. lets be frank for we are all wild awake now.
Mr. Kumbuor, I beg. Ask the AMA people if these taxes don't exist. They collect taxes on these porters every day. We must then ask ourselves where those collections have been going to? Akorongfo!!!
Kumbour and for that matter NDC do NOT have anything to say against the 2017 Budget. They are just saying for propaganda purposes. They were marvelled by the Government proposals. GHANAIANS THANK ALMIGHTY GOD FOR GIVING US NANA ADDO AS PRESIDENT. CHANGE HAS ARRIVED INDEED