The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has criticised Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson for sidelining key trading stakeholders ahead of the upcoming mid-year budget review on July 24.
The Association expressed dismay at what it described as a lack of transparency and inclusivity, particularly following a Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) meeting on proposed VAT reforms where it claims major trading groups were ignored.
Executive Secretary Samson Asaki Awingobit told journalists on Sunday, July 20, that the Association was completely left out of the critical fiscal discussions.
“I was in a meeting last week when I heard the GRA was engaging the business community on VAT reforms. I sent a message to their communications officer and said, ‘You claim to be inviting stakeholders, but you’ve left out the most relevant ones.’ Later, they’ll say they’ve done stakeholder consultations but who exactly did they speak to?” Awingobit queried.
He explained that although the GRA indicated the consultations were held on a group basis and promised to reach out, nothing had been done as the budget review approaches.
“But as it stands, just days before the budget review, we an Association of Importers and Exporters have not been invited,” he lamented.
The IEAG is demanding broader and genuine stakeholder engagement before finalising any fiscal policies, warning that neglecting major players in the trading community could undermine effective policy implementation and economic growth.
