This follows an earlier warning by the AMA to the squatters to vacate the area and stop dumping refuse at the site by June 2.

The demolishing exercise was carried out in collaboration with the Greater Accra Regional Police Command led by Chief Superintendent Kwesi Ofori, the Operational Commander, to provide security.

Speaking to the media, Chief Supt Ofori said due to the presence of squatters in the area, reported cases of crime had increased along the Mortuary Road.

The AMA Waste Management Director, Anthony Mensah, had announced the closure of the dumpsite at a news conference in Accra on May 24, and ordered the squatters to relocate.

He also said a programme had been outlined by the AMA to realize President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s vision of making Accra the cleanest city in Africa, hence the demolishing.

–

Source: GNA

The post AMA demolishes structures at illegal dumping site appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The traders said the move relieves them of a huge burden that has over the years prevented them from expanding their businesses.

When Citi News’ Kojo Agyemang got to Abbosey-Okai after the announcement today [Thursday], the area was thrown into a frenzy with most dealers in a jubilant mood.

Abossey Okai is one of Ghana’s major destinations for auto mechanic services and auto parts sales.

Ghana’s Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, during his presentation of the 2017 national budget statement and economic policy in Parliament, announced among others some twelve tax scrapping and in some cases a reduction, including the cancellation of levies imposed on head porters popularly known as ‘kayayei’.

Ahead of the 2016 general elections, the then incumbent president, John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Akufo-Addo, both made promises of bettering the lot of traders in the area, by addressing issues of duties on the importation of spare parts, which is a major part of business undertaken by the traders there.

Following the announcement of the NPP’s Akufo-Addo as the winner of the December 2016 presidential elections, dealers in the area announced a discount on their products allegedly in solidarity with the new government, a claim which was subsequently denied.

Below is a list of the taxes abolished and reviewed by the government.

Abolished

– 1 percent Special Import Levy;

– 17.5 percent VAT/NHIL on financial services;

– 17.5 percent VAT/NHIL on selected imported medicines, that are not produced locally;

– Initiate steps to remove import duties on raw materials and machinery for production within the context of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) Protocol;

– 17.5 percent VAT/NHIL on domestic airline tickets;

– 5 percent VAT/NHIL on Real Estate sales;

– Excise duty on petroleum;

– Special petroleum tax rate from 17.5 percent to 15 percent;

– Duty on the importation of spare parts;

– Levies imposed on kayayei by local authorities;

– Taxation, the gains from realisation of securities listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange or publicly held securities approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC);

Reviewed

– Reduce National Electrification Scheme Levy from 5 percent to 3 percent;

– Reduce Public Lighting Levy from 5 percent to 2 percent;

– Replace the 17.5 VAT/NHIL rate with a flat rate of 3 percent for traders; and

– Implement tax credits and other incentives for businesses that hire young graduates.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @jnyabor

The post Abossey-Okai spare parts dealers jubilate over tax cut [Video] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, announced the removal of this among others the government considers “nuisance taxes” to promote growth in the private sector.

They include the tolls charged head porters locally known as ‘Kayayei’ who move from the north to the south of Ghana to engage in several menial jobs.

Ken Ofori Atta made the announcement, while delivering to Parliament the 2017 budget statement and economic policy on Thursday, March 2, 2017.

He noted that, although some of the taxes were introduced by the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to raise revenue, they have proven to be unprofitable means of raising money, and had rather become a burden to the private sector, stifling their development.

“A number of tax measures have been introduced in recent years in an attempt to deal with revenue shortfalls. Some have proven to be nuisance taxes. They have no revenue yielding potential, and at the same time impose a significant burden on the private sector and on the average Ghanaian citizen. As part of our commitment to re-energize the private sector, the government has decided, as pledged, to review these taxes to provide relief for business. ”

List of taxes abolished

– The 1% Special Import Levy

– Kayayei market tolls

– 17.5% VAT/NHIL on financial services

– 17.5% VAT/NHIL on selected imported medicines that are not produced locally

– 17.5% VAT/NHIL on domestic airline tickets

– Duty on imported spare parts

– 5% VAT/NHIL on Real estate sales

– Exercise duty on petroleum

List of reviewed taxes

– Corporate income tax to be progressively reduced from 25% to 20% in 2018.

– Replace 17.5% of VAT/NHIL with 3% flat rate for traders

– Tax credits and other incentives for businesses that hire young graduates from tertiary institutions

– Tax incentives for young entrepreneurs

– Reduce special petroleum tax rate from 17.5% to 15%.

–

By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Taxes on imported spare parts; kayayei abolished appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The President, sought to woo the spare parts dealers ahead of the 2016 general election, in an area which is largely the stronghold of the opposition NPP.

President Mahama is today [Thursday], touring parts of Accra including the Kaneshie market, Agbogloshie, Osu and Adabraka with his message of ‘Changing Lives, Transforming Ghana.’

_

By: Awudu Mahama & Kojo Agyeman/ghelections.com/Ghana

The post Mahama woos Abossey Okai spare parts dealers [Photos] appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.