Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Ghana’s Minister-designate for Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, has stressed that reducing excessive taxes at the country’s ports will enhance citizen compliance with port levies.
During her vetting in Accra, Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare noted that high tax burdens are a significant challenge in port operations, with many importers and exporters struggling to cope with the steep levies. She believes that lowering taxes will encourage businesses to comply with regulations, ultimately boosting government revenue in the long term.
“Excessive taxes at the ports push businesses to evade taxes or engage in smuggling, which harms the economy,” she explained. She further highlighted that high taxes often force businesses to seek illegal avenues to evade paying the right duties, undermining the country’s economic stability.
The former minister emphasized the importance of creating a more business-friendly environment by reducing taxes, thereby increasing transparency, accountability, and compliance. She added that businesses would be less inclined to under-declare goods or resort to unofficial channels if the tax rates were more reasonable.
If confirmed, Mrs. Ofosu-Adjare plans to work closely with government agencies, port authorities, and trade associations to streamline port processes and improve the overall tax system.
She concluded by calling for a national dialogue on taxation to encourage greater compliance and ensure more citizens fulfill their tax obligations.
