The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has accused the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, of sidelining key stakeholders in the lead-up to the mid-year budget review set for Thursday, 24 July.
The Association expressed disappointment over what it described as a lack of transparency and inclusiveness in the government’s consultative process—particularly in relation to proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) reforms.
According to IEAG, a recent meeting organised by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to discuss the VAT proposals excluded major trading associations, including theirs.
Speaking to Citi News on Sunday, 20 July, IEAG Executive Secretary Samson Asaki Awingobit questioned the legitimacy of the consultations.
“I was in a meeting last week when I heard the GRA was engaging the business community on VAT reforms,” he said. “I reached out to their communications officer to ask why we were not invited. They later claimed the meeting was held with groups and that they would eventually get to us. But we’ve still not been contacted—and the budget review is just days away.”
Mr Awingobit warned that the exclusion of key trade stakeholders could lead to fiscal policies that do not reflect the realities of the business community.
The Association is urging the Finance Ministry to widen its engagement and ensure that future consultations include all relevant voices in the trading sector.
The mid-year budget review is expected to outline updates on government spending and introduce possible adjustments to tax and revenue policies for the remainder of the year.
