Business News of Thursday, 23 April 2015

Source: Daily Guide

Modernize tax collection method – Gov’t told

Sam Ato Gaisie, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Entrepreneurs Foundation, has advised government to modernize tax collection to generate more revenue for the country’s development.

He stressed the need for government to take a second look at some ‘unnecessary’ taxes that have been imposed on businesses.

Mr Ato Gaisie, who was speaking in an interview with BUSINESS GUIDE said, “There are too many taxes and this has resulted in the evasion of taxes by many businesses.

“If you want to maximize tax collection then there is the need for government to modernize tax collection.

He was optimistic about the prospects of the private sector in spite of the current challenges.

Mr Ato Gaisie entreated government to dialogue with operators in the private sector in order to appreciate their problems and find solutions to them.

“There is the need for governments to have good relationship with the private sector. There should be non-partisan approach in dealing with private sector businesses,” he said.

The CEO said many business people have resorted to importation due to the high cost of production in the country.

This, he said, has contributed significantly to the depreciation of the Cedi against major foreign currencies, stating “the more we import the more the Cedi depreciates or suffers.

Mr Ato Gaisie called on entrepreneurs in the country to come up with ideas that would help the government improve the country’s economy.