‘Withhold VAT On Electricity’ – Ken Ofori-Atta Told

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been told not to burden Ghanaians by imposing any further tax on electricity consumers.

The Ministry is said to hold extensive talks in the coming weeks with organized labour and other key stakeholders in the electricity sector to discuss this Valued Added Tax (VAT) to be placed on electricity.

But before the meeting comes off, former Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress, Bernard Allotey Jacobs has pleaded with the Minister to relieve Ghanaians from this tax.

“He should withhold the VAT on electricity”, Allotey briefly asserted while speaking on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show today.

Meeting

The stakeholder dialogue, stated by the Finance Ministry in its statement dated January 30, 2024, is aimed at ensuring stakeholder buy-in following a strong opposition by Organized Labour against the government’s implementation of the VAT on electricity consumption.

“The Ministry of Finance has noted the concerns of Organised Labour on the implementation of VAT on the consumption of electricity by residential customers. Extensive dialogue will be held with Organised Labour and other key stakeholders in the coming weeks, to ensure stakeholder buy-in”, the Ministry’s statement read.

Source: Ghmessenger.com