In a bid to familiarise himself in the operations of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), the Chief Executive Mr Julius Ne­equaye Kotey, embarked on a working visit to three operational satellite offices in Accra namely; Ultra Centre Spintex, 37 Office Satellite Station and the Ultra Centre Ring Road.

Apart from engaging the staff, the Chief Executive also interacted with officials of the Custom Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority and clients to understand their workflow, challenges and requests.

His interactions provided valuable insights into the daily operations of the offices and measures put in place to ensure seamless service delivery to the public.

Today’s visit, marked six of the offices he had so far visited since his assumption into office as the Chief Executive. Tema, Weija and Narhman were the earlier offices he has visited.

The Chief Executive encouraged the staff to remain diligent and committed in the discharge of their duties, emphasizing on the impor­tance of teamwork and collaboration at achieving DVLA’s vision.

“I believe in cooperation and team­work. Together, we can enhance ef­ficiency and improve service delivery for the benefit of the public,” he said.

Mr Kotey’s visit was met with appreciation and enthusiasm from the staff, who expressed optimism about his renewed leadership style, com­mitment to their welfare and overall operational improvements.

The Chief Executive’s continuous engagement with staff was a tes­tament to his proactive leadership, aimed at driving innovation and excel­lence within the DVLA.

He was accompanied by some management members.

The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) is urging the government to maintain the controversial Betting Tax, emphasizing its dual role in revenue generation and discouraging excessive gambling.

This appeal comes just hours before Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson presents the 2025 Budget in Parliament.

Despite the new administration’s pledge to scrap the Betting Tax alongside the E-Levy, COVID-19 Levy, and Emissions Tax, the IEA argues that the tax should remain—albeit at a reduced rate of 5% instead of the current 10%.

The debate over the Betting Tax comes at a critical time for Ghana’s economy, as revenue mobilization remains a major challenge.

In a statement issued on their expectations for the 2025 budget, the Institute explains that with a tax revenue-to-GDP ratio of just 13-14%, far below the 20-25% average of its middle-income peers, the country must explore innovative ways to widen its tax base and enhance collection efficiency.

To offset potential revenue losses from tax cuts, the IEA suggests plugging loopholes in the system, such as trade mis-invoicing, tax exemptions, and transfer pricing abuses. It also advocates for digitization to improve tax compliance and a more simplified tax structure to reduce evasion.

Additionally, it proposes the introduction of an e-commerce tax and a windfall tax on extractive industries, telecom companies, and banks that generate super-profits.

Despite these measures, the IEA warns that even with a stronger tax effort, Ghana’s small GDP—currently about GHS 1 trillion—limits the amount of revenue that can be generated domestically. It, therefore, calls for a renegotiation of fiscal terms in the natural resource sector to maximize state benefits, alongside value-addition strategies to boost long-term revenue streams.

However, with improved revenue collection, the IEA also warns that Ghana must take a more disciplined approach to spending. It notes that while cutting wasteful expenditure, the government must strike a balance to avoid harming essential sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure.

The IEA expects the 2025 Budget to mark a turning point by increasing capital expenditure (CAPEX), which has been cut to the bone at just 3-4% of GDP. It recommends progressively increasing CAPEX to at least 10% of GDP over the medium term to drive growth, create jobs, and improve living standards.

A key part of expenditure rationalization, the IEA argues, should be the establishment of an Independent Value-for-Money Department (IVMD), a proposal championed by President John Mahama.

The think tank estimates that addressing inefficiencies, diversions, and inflated costs through this department could save Ghana as much as 3-4% of GDP—equivalent to the entire current CAPEX budget.

Despite being one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies with an impressive 8% growth rate, Ghana finds itself ranked near the bottom of the continent’s economic transformation index, according to a recent report by the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET).

The report highlights a critical disconnect: Ghana’s growth, largely fuelled by extracting and exporting raw materials such as gold, oil and cocoa, has failed to generate sufficient jobs, increase incomes, or provide enough revenue for essential public services. 

This growth-without-transformation model has left the country vulnerable to global market fluctuations, as evidenced by recent economic downturns triggered by China’s reduced demand for raw materials.

Speaking at the presentation of the report, the President of ACET, Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi, said true economic transformation required reinvesting profits from natural resources into building competitive industries that add value to these raw materials within Ghana’s borders.

She said Ghana must be known not just for cocoa, but for the best chocolate in the world.

She cited an example of the missed potential, including Ghanaian-designed wooden sunglasses that must be finished overseas due to high local production costs, and niche chocolate companies struggling to compete globally despite Ghana being one of the world’s top cocoa producers. 

Similarly, local beauty products using cocoa and shea butter ingredients see their innovative formulations commercialised by foreign companies rather than domestic industries.

Lost opportunities 

This pattern represents not just lost economic opportunities but a brain drain where Ghanaian creativity and innovation benefit other economies. 

Mrs Owusu-Gyamfi said while the intellectual capital exists locally, high production costs and technological limitations force production overseas, resulting in a fragmented value chain that primarily benefits foreign markets.

The report also emphasises regional integration, noting that Ghana’s transformation strategy must consider its role within West Africa and the broader continent. 

The ACET President highlighted the importance of collaboration and trade with other African countries to build continental competitive advantage.

The presentation comes as Ghana, like many African economies, faces significant headwinds from global economic uncertainty. 

The report, which was released a day after the two-day National Economic Forum, argues that countries dependent on raw material exports suffer disproportionately during global downturns, while those with diversified, value-adding economies demonstrate greater resilience.

Ms Owusu-Gyamfi therefore challenged policymakers, business leaders and citizens to use this data to hold leadership accountable for implementing transformation strategies.

The Constitution Review Committee (CRC) has announced a revised schedule for its National Validation Zonal Engagements, with the addition of Sunyani as a new venue for public consultations.

This update follows public feedback received after the initial publication on Friday, 7 March 2025.

The newly updated schedule, which includes a zonal engagement in Sunyani, is as follows:

Zone 1 – Accra: April 7-8

Zone 2 – Tamale / Bolga: April 10-11

Zone 3 – Wa: April 14-15

Zone 4 – Sunyani: April 22-23

Zone 5 – Kumasi: April 25-26

Zone 6 – Takoradi / Cape Coast: April 29-30

Zone 7 – Koforidua: May 5-6

Zone 8 – Ho: May 8-9

The inclusion of Sunyani in the schedule allows for broader public participation and input, ensuring that citizens in all regions have an opportunity to engage with the ongoing constitutional review process.

The Committee, has also provided several channels for the public to submit memoranda or suggestions:

1. Email Submissions: Memoranda can be sent electronically to [email protected].
2. Interactive Website: Online submissions and public engagement can be made through the official website at www.constitutionreviewgh.org.
3. In-Person Submissions: Written submissions and supporting documents can be delivered to the CRC Secretariat.

The Committee encourages all interested individuals and groups to participate in these engagements to help shape the future of Ghana’s constitution.

Read also: Constitution Review Committee to hold stakeholder and zonal engagements

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