play videoOne of the interviewees speaking on GhanaWeb TV’s Trending GH

As the Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, presents the 2025 budget in Parliament on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, some Ghanaians have shared their expectations with GhanaWeb’s Ernestina Serwaa Asante, on Trending GH.

Some interviewees expressed hope that the NDC government would scrap the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy), COVID Levy, betting taxes, and others, as promised during the campaign period in 2024.

Speaking on GhanaWeb TV’s Trending GH, one interviewee stated, “The government promised to scrap the E-Levy and other taxes, and we eagerly await this move to finally heave a sigh of relief.

“Reducing fuel prices is crucial to stabilising the cost of goods, which would bring much-needed financial ease to everyone.”

Another Ghanaian said she looks forward to a reduction in the prices of goods, as traders continue to raise prices daily, even for old stock.

She suggested that the government engages GUTA in discussions to ensure fair pricing.

Drivers who spoke to GhanaWeb TV lamented the hike in fuel prices and spare parts.

These drivers called for a reduction in fuel prices, explaining that stabilising transport fares without any increment is critical to sustaining their businesses.

Watch the full Trending GH video on what some Ghanaians have been saying regarding their expectations ahead of 2025 budget presentation below:

SA/AE

To promote inclusivity and self-expression, Foto4Change has successfully donated professional photography equipment and provided hands-on training in visual storytelling to students of Deaf Zimbabwe Trust College.

This initiative aims to empower the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) community by equipping them with storytelling skills to amplify their voices and experiences through powerful imagery.

During the training session, students enthusiastically engaged in learning the fundamentals of visual storytelling, including composition, lighting, and framing compelling narratives.

The interactive workshops allowed them to explore creative perspectives and express themselves through images, fostering confidence and self-reliance.

Speaking at the handing-over ceremony, the Executive Director of Deaf Zimbabwe Trust Md Babra Nyangairi expressed deep gratitude to Foto4Change for their unique support.

“This donation and training are truly transformative for our students. Visual storytelling is a universal language, and with these tools, our students can share their experiences with the world.

“We are committed to making the most of this opportunity by forming a visual storytelling club that will nurture talent and encourage students to consider storytelling as a viable career path,” she said.

The Team Lead of Foto4Change, Geoffrey Buta, shared the motivation behind the initiative, stating, “This donation came after reading about the incredible work Deaf Zimbabwe Trust is doing to change the lives of Deaf children in this area. Their dedication to advocacy, education, and inclusivity inspired us to contribute in a way that aligns with our mission empowering marginalised communities through storytelling.

“We believe that everyone, regardless of their abilities, has a story worth telling, and visual storytelling provides a powerful medium to do just that.”

Buta emphasised that visual storytelling is more than just capturing images, it is a tool for advocacy, self-expression, and career development.

“Through this initiative, we are not only giving cameras; we are giving these students a voice, a chance to document their realities, and an opportunity to explore professional pathways in storytelling. This program has already transformed lives in three Deaf schools in Ghana, and we are excited to see its impact here in Zimbabwe,” he added.

By scaling Up the impact, we are happy to officially launch Foto4Change in Zimbabwe, which we believe will open doors for an expanded impact across the country, he said.

He also, highlighted the significance of this milestone, stating, that it is just the beginning where we want to scale up this project to support many more Deaf students, enabling them to tell their own stories to be heard, and actively engage in public dialogue.

“For too long, they have been left behind in conversations about development and change. Through this initiative, we aim to change that narrative,” said the Team Lead of Foto4change.

Buta said, by expanding the project, Foto4Change seeks to create more opportunities for Deaf students to develop skills in visual storytelling, filmmaking, and digital media, allowing them to contribute to national and global conversations on social transformation.

Impact and Future Prospects

The introduction of visual storytelling training at Deaf Zimbabwe Trust College is expected to have a lasting impact on the students and the broader DHH community. By forming a storytelling club, the school aims to provide continuous skill development, allowing students to explore storytelling as a profession. The initiative also seeks to challenge stereotypes about the capabilities of the Deaf community and create new career pathways in media, arts, and communication.

Additionally, Foto4Change has pledged to maintain engagement with the school through mentorship programs, advanced training sessions, and possible exhibition opportunities to showcase the students’ work. This initiative marks a significant step toward fostering inclusivity and empowering the next generation of visual storytellers.

About Foto4Change

Foto4Change is a multimedia initiative dedicated to using photography, video, and immersive storytelling to drive social impact. Aligning with five Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it focuses on advocacy, education, and innovation, amplifying voices from marginalized communities through visual storytelling.

GraphicOnline

Business News

Mar – 11 – 2025 , 18:19

In a bid to ease economic hardship, the government of Ghana has announced the removal of several taxes introduced during the COVID-19 era to secure International Monetary Fund (IMF) financing.

The decision, outlined in the 2025 budget, aims to provide financial relief to citizens and businesses struggling with rising inflation and currency depreciation.

Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, presenting the budget on Tuesday, stated that five levies labeled as “nuisance taxes” include a one-percent levy on mobile money transactions and a value-added tax (VAT) on motor vehicle insurance.

With Ghana’s economy facing severe financial distress due to debt mismanagement and fiscal shortfalls, the removal of these taxes has raised concerns about how the government will compensate for the resulting revenue loss.

However, Forson assured lawmakers in Accra that alternative strategies are being developed to enhance tax collection without increasing the fiscal burden on citizens.

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“The removal of these taxes will reduce pressure on households, boost disposable income, and promote business expansion,” Forson stated.

Other levies being abolished include a 10-percent tax on lottery winnings, an emissions levy on vehicles and industries, and a 1.5-percent tax on unprocessed gold from small-scale miners.

These taxes were originally introduced by the previous administration as part of Ghana’s $3-billion IMF bailout, secured in 2023.

Economic recovery plans

Despite the tax cuts, the government has outlined measures to strengthen revenue collection. Amendments to the Revenue Administration Act are expected to generate additional revenue, amounting to 0.3 percent of GDP.

Additionally, the government is set to reinstate road tolls this year as part of an infrastructure development initiative, the “Big Push.”

“We inherited an economy in crisis, weighed down by excessive debt and fiscal challenges, including unpaid arrears and financing gaps in the energy and cocoa sectors,” Forson noted.

Economists have welcomed the removal of the levies, arguing that they will provide much-needed relief for citizens and businesses.

“The scrapping of these nuisance taxes will allow people to retain more of their income, helping businesses recover,” economist Daniel Amateye Anim-Prempeh told AFP. However, he cautioned that the effectiveness of these measures depends on the government’s ability to improve tax compliance without widening the fiscal deficit.

As part of broader economic reforms, the government is also establishing the Ghana Gold Board to regulate and oversee the gold sector. The initiative aims to increase foreign exchange reserves and curb illegal mining which has surged due to high gold prices and caused environmental destruction.

Source: Africafeeds.com