Shortly after declaring his bid to contest as Independent Presidential candidate for the New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako, aka Cheddar was cited for tax evasion by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
According to the story broken by Ghanaian Times in 2024, a reliable source in the GRA had revealed that Cheddar had refused to pay taxes between 2021-2022, summing his taxes owed to Ghc7,184,764.
The source added that Nana Kwame Bediako was also fined a total of GH¢50,000.00 for his failure to file personal income tax returns from 2013 to 2016.
“Despite settling a sum of GH¢209,171.00 between 2018 and 2020, he once again failed to file his returns for the post-2020 period,” the source said.
The source expressed concerns about Cheddar’s involvement in a tax evasion scandal, stating that it not only raised questions about his financial practices but also casts doubt on his commitment to national development.
The source said “as a presidential candidate and self-proclaimed savior of Ghana, his actions set a worrisome example for the ethical standards expected from individuals in influential positions.”
The significant fines imposed by the GRA highlight the seriousness of Cheddar’s tax evasion, emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency, especially for those who claim to champion the progress of the nation.
The source emphasized the importance of personal income tax as a crucial source of information regarding an individual’s investment activities and asset holdings.
“It plays a vital role in identifying potential unreported or questionable income, including transactions such as asset purchases. The persistent failure to pay penalties instead of simply declaring income raises broader questions about the sincerity and integrity of someone aspiring to lead the nation,” the source said.
“It must be noted that this scandal is not just about an individual’s failure to pay taxes; it is about the societal impact of tax evasion and measuring the rhetoric of an aspiring president against his conduct. Tax evasion diminishes the resources available for essential public services, infrastructure development, and poverty eradication measures,” the source said.
Nana Kwame Bediako however debunked these allegations, stating the claims were targeted at tarnishing his image.
