Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced government’s initiative to rationalize taxes and levies at Ghana’s ports.
Speaking during a youth engagement session on X Spaces, Dr. Forson emphasized the importance of reviewing and possibly eliminating certain levies that do not directly benefit the consolidated fund.
“We have begun the process to rationalize all the taxes at the port. We believe that some of the taxes and levies, in particular, cannot be removed because all the levies and taxes do not come straight to the central government. Some of the levies you see, the benefit is not going straight to support the consolidated fund”.
He highlighted the need to identify the beneficiaries of these levies and assess their purpose. If deemed necessary, the government will remove these levies to streamline the tax structure at the ports.
“We need to identify those benefiting from these levies and for what purpose, and then if there is the need for us to remove them, we would have to remove them. So there is a team that is working at the moment, and in due course, we would announce them”.
Dr. Forson assured that the upcoming budget will include announcements on how the government intends to rationalize these levies and taxes at the ports.
“In the budget, you will hear some announcements on how we intend to rationalize those levies and taxes at the port”.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has engaged market women, head porters (kayayei), and other traders at the Makola Market to discuss their concerns and expectations ahead of the 2025 Budget presentation on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, March 8, Dr. Forson described the interaction as a privilege, while acknowledging the vital role these traders play in sustaining Ghana’s economy.
Accompanied by his deputy, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, the discussions focused on key economic challenges affecting small-scale traders, including inflation, taxation, and access to credit.
“Their expectations ahead of #Budget2025 on Tuesday, March 11th will help shape our shared future,” he wrote.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has already presented the 2025 Budget to Cabinet for scrutiny, ahead of its presentation to Parliament on March 11.
The Cabinet meeting, chaired by President John Mahama, unanimously approved the budget.
Dr. Forson emphasized the need for expenditure cuts due to the current economic challenges.
The government has already pledged to remove some levies, including the betting tax and e-levy.
