Takoradi, Oct.19, GNA - Twenty-five traders in Tarkwa and Sekondi-Takoradi have been arrested in a special Test Purchase Exercise embarked on by the Western Regional Office of the Value Added Tax Service (VAT) in collaboration with the Police to check tax evasion. The exercise, which began two weeks ago, was part of measures to improve tax revenue and create the needed tax awareness among individual traders and business concerns in the Region.

Mr. Abeiku Cudjoe, Western Regional Head of the Service told a press conference at Takoradi on Wednesday that the suspects had been granted bail and would be prosecuted after investigations had been completed.

He said during the exercise, VAT Officials were sent out with the police to conduct random purchases from VAT registered traders and businesses.

Mr. Cudjoe stressed the need for the Service to intensify its operations to meet this year's target.

He said the VAT Service had been educating the public through forums such as seminars and workshops to encourage voluntary compliance, and therefore, appealed to the media and other institutions to support the education programme for the people fulfil their tax obligations to the state.

Mr. Cudjoe advised consumers to demand VAT and National Health Insurance Levy invoices when they buy taxable goods and services. "Our failure to demand these invoices means enriching the traders at the expense of national development and better healthcare," he said. 19 Oct.05