File photo of spare parts at Abossey Okai
The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has called on its members to remain calm and cooperate with the newly introduced tax policy following a high-level engagement with the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwesi Sarpong.
According to the Association, the meeting clarified that the tax measure has already been duly passed into law and forms part of the country’s existing legal framework.
However, the GRA assured the dealers that the implementation of the policy will be monitored over a six-month period to assess its effectiveness and practical impact.
To ensure fairness and transparency, the Association announced the formation of a six-member committee to monitor the policy over the next six months. The committee comprises three representatives from the GRA and three from the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA).
Abossey Okai spare parts dealers demand VAT review
The committee is expected to evaluate the impact of the tax policy and make recommendations, which could be considered during the mid-year budget review.
In a statement on February 18, 2026, the Association expressed optimism that the monitoring period will provide adequate time to determine whether the policy is beneficial in its current form or requires adjustments. It further noted that any potential review of the law would follow due process, as Parliament does not hastily repeal legislation.
Addressing concerns among traders, the GRA assured the Association that the objective of the policy is not to impose additional hardship but to ensure that taxes legitimately due to the state are properly paid.
The tax structure, including a 20 percent component, is aimed at promoting compliance and fairness rather than conflict, the Authority explained.
In light of these assurances, the Association emphasised that there is no cause for unrest. It has resolved to remain calm, cooperative and law-abiding while observing the policy’s implementation.
“All shops, including those at Abossey Okai, will remain open on Monday and business activities will proceed as usual,” the Association stated.
The Association also called for intensified public education on the tax system, noting that only a small number of traders consistently meet their tax obligations, while many others do not.
This imbalance, it said, places an unfair burden on compliant traders, particularly when some non-compliant operators record substantial turnovers.
Leaders of the Association believe that limited understanding of the tax framework is a significant part of the challenge.
They therefore welcomed the six-month monitoring period, expressing hope that by the time the policy is reviewed—potentially by Parliament—it will have been thoroughly evaluated based on its effectiveness and practical impact.
AM
Cabinet instructs COCOBOD to begin repayment to all affected cocoa farmers
