The President of the Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA), Dr. Joseph Obeng, has called on the Mahama government to refrain from introducing new taxes in the 2025 Budget.

His appeal comes ahead of the budget presentation by the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on March 11, 2025. The minister recently engaged traders to assess their concerns.

The government has already pledged to remove some levies, including the betting tax and e-levy.

In an interview with Channel One News’ Charles Owusu Kumi, however, Dr. Obeng insists that traders do not expect any new taxes to be introduced.

He emphasized the negative impact of excessive taxation on businesses and cautioned against any policy that would further burden traders.

While opposing new taxes, Dr. Obeng urged the government to expand the tax net to include individuals and businesses that currently do not pay taxes, ensuring a fair and balanced tax system.

“We’re not expecting new taxes. We’re also not going to be worried when new taxes are tailored to bring in people outside the tax net to pay. That one, we will not be worried. But what we will be worried about is just compounding the taxes on a few of us who pay.

“Expanding the tax net is welcomed. And whichever means they do to rope in a lot more people who are outside the tax net to come in is also a welcome news.”

Dr Obeng commended the finance minister for his engagement with the traders.

“It’s the best thing to do. It gives me hope; it’s very worthwhile and refreshing, and I’m happy about that. It’s the best thing that could ever have happened to us, and we’re very grateful.”