Rev Dr Joe Mbawuni, lecturer at the University of Education-Winneba(UEW) and tax consultant
Rev. Dr Joe Mbawuni, a lecturer at the University of Education (UEW), Winneba has appealed to the government to provide some form of incentives to persons and institutions that are honest with their tax obligations.
This measure, the chartered accountant noted will motivate others to pay their taxes to government all year round.
Speaking at a recent function at Kotwi-Nkoranza to mark the 15th anniversary of Locaf Industries, a private bitumen producing company, Dr Mbawuni said, ‘many shy away from their tax obligations just because they see no motivation in being loyal to the state on that’.
Some, he also noted cut corners when they are paying their taxes and at times do not pay the full amount owed to the state or government institutions.
‘’I have realized that in this country many people do not like to pay taxes and are not comfortable paying tax and so if we get an organization like Locaf Industries or an individual who is committed and loyal to the payment of taxes we should reward them for that’’, Dr Mbawuni passionately stressed.
FORM OF MOTIVATON:
The lecturer proposed that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) designs some form of motivation package to reward faithful tax payers to spur them on to do more.
Dr Mbawuni noted that loyal and committed tax payers could be given tax rebate or some form of allowances to encourage them to pay regularly.
Appreciation and recognition days, the lecturer stressed could also be instituted by the GRA to honor persons and companies who stay true to their tax obligations.
‘’These incentives could help to get people motivated to pay taxes and also encourage the loyal ones to continue to do so at all times’’, Dr Mabwuni posited.
CAUTION:
Admonishing members of the public and heads of institutions at the venue, Reverend Ransford Obeng, General Overseer of Calvary Charismatic Center (CCC) urged them to be responsible citizens by paying tax.
He noted that government depends on these taxes to carry out development projects across the country.
The CCC leader therefore said those who do not pay tax are only showing signs that they are unpatriotic.
‘’It is important that as citizens we honestly and loyally pay our taxes so that government can carry out development projects in the country for the benefit of the people’’, Rev Obeng stated.
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