The Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications is shocked at the increment of the Communications Service Tax from 6% to 9%.
The increment, according to the Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber, Ken Ashigbey, will only burden the consumer.
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta announced the 3% increment of the ‘Talk Tax’ in Parliament while delivering his Mid-year Budget Review.
READ: Communication Service Tax up to 9%
Mr Ofori-Atta explained that the marginal increase is to enable government “develop the foundation for the creation of a viable technology ecosystem in the country.”
Reacting to this on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem programme, Tuesday, Mr Ashigbey said the announcement came to them as a “surprise.”
He noted that, contrary to best practices, there was no consultation with the Chamber before the announcement was made in Parliament.
READ: Terkper shares thoughts on 2019 Mid-year Budget Review
Mr Ashigbey said, prior to any budget reading, there is a tax dialogue where the Ministry of Finance engages stakeholders but “this time that did not happen.
“We also heard it for the first time in Parliament and we were very surprised. This increase will affect investment in the sector,” the Telecoms Chamber boss bemoaned.
He said in government’s bid to raise revenue, the ordinary consumer and businesses which depend on telecommunication services would bear the full brunt.
READ: Audio: Ofori-Atta digging his own grave – Adongo
This notwithstanding, Mr Ashigbey said, they will engage the Finance Ministry and Parliament on their concerns.
“We will still reach out to government and discuss it and hope we will be able to come out with a decision which will help all of us,” he added.
Source: Ghana | Adomonline.com | Adwoa Gyasiwaa Agyeman
