Young entrepreneurs and business operators in the Volta Region are urging government to use the 2027 Budget to reduce the cost of doing business, improve access to affordable credit and create stronger incentives for private sector investment.
They say high taxes, import duties, electricity costs and limited financing are making it difficult for emerging businesses to expand and absorb more young people into employment.
The appeals place pressure on the Ministry of Finance to address the business conditions facing small enterprises as it prepares the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, scheduled for presentation on November 12, 2026.
Joshua Ayayi, Founder of the Youth Alliance for Sustainability, said the private sector could not absorb the growing number of unemployed young people if businesses remained constrained by heavy tax obligations and regulatory costs.
He called on Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson to pursue a tax regime that rewards enterprise expansion and supports self employment, rather than placing additional pressure on young entrepreneurs at the early stages of building their businesses.
For emerging businesses, the cost of formal operations can influence decisions on whether to register, employ workers, invest in equipment or expand into new markets. Mr Ayayi argued that fiscal incentives should make business growth more attractive and improve the private sector’s capacity to generate jobs.
He also called for targeted policy support to help local businesses withstand prevailing economic pressures, particularly through cheaper and more accessible credit for small and medium sized enterprises.
Access to affordable financing remains important for businesses seeking working capital, purchasing equipment and increasing production. Without suitable credit, young entrepreneurs may struggle to move beyond small scale operations, limiting their ability to create sustainable employment.
Mr Ayayi further urged government to provide a clear roadmap for managing public debt without transferring excessive financial pressures to citizens and businesses.
He also called for measures to sustain price stability and prevent further deterioration of the cedi, noting the importance of a stable economic environment for business planning and investment.
The concerns extend beyond general business taxation to the cost of specific products that support commercial activity and household connectivity.
Lucky Adzah, a mobile phone dealer at Dzemeni in the South Dayi District, appealed for reductions in taxes and import duties on mobile devices, arguing that the charges had increased retail prices and made communication tools less affordable for residents.
For phone dealers, higher import costs can affect sales volumes, inventory turnover and the ability to serve price sensitive customers. Consumers also face higher costs when purchasing devices used for communication, digital payments, education and business transactions.
Mr Adzah urged government to introduce measures to reduce the overall cost of living, with particular attention to electricity affordability.
Electricity costs affect both household spending and the operating expenses of businesses, especially small retailers and service providers that depend on reliable power to operate.
The appeals highlight the connection between fiscal policy and employment creation. While taxes provide revenue for government spending, the structure and cost of taxation can also influence business expansion, consumer demand and the willingness of entrepreneurs to invest.
For the 2027 Budget, the challenge will be to balance revenue mobilisation with measures that improve the capacity of local businesses to grow, employ workers and contribute to the economy.
