Wa, July 27, GNA - The government has embarked on a programme to reform and widen the tax net in order to make it attractive for the business community to voluntarily honour their tax obligations. It was the bid to achieve the goals that gave birth to the VAT Flat Rate Scheme which, when implemented, would be all embracing and capture a lot more small-scale traders.

Mr. Ambrose Dery, out-going Upper West Regional Minister, said this in a speech read on his behalf during the launch of VAT Flat Rate Scheme at Wa on Thursday.

The launch, which, was preceded by an hour float, finally ended at the Wa Naa's palace where attendance was poor. Although the Regional Office of VAT service did a lot of announcements and publications on the launch, the business community were virtually absent at the grounds of the programme. Mr. Dery said it was an offence to evade tax and urged the business community in the region to help expose tax evaders so that they would be made to face the full rigours of the law.

Mr. Kwesi Ackaah, Regional Head of the VAT service, said the service would improve on collaboration among the business community and government departments.