PSCAG Discusses Government’s Revenue Mobilization Drive

The Private Sector Anti-Corruption Group (PSCAG), an association-led institution made up of various Chambers in the country, held a closed-door discussion with officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority to assist the country to increase domestic revenue mobilization and discuss some associated challenges with tax collection.

The encounter held on Wednesday, June 10 at the Villa Boutique Hotel in Osu was attended by representatives of the GRA, PwC, KPMG, EY, and heads of the various Chambers of Commerce in the country.

Speaking on reforms at the GRA to aid tax collection, Deputy Commissioner Daniel Edisi, outlined new digital approaches to mobilize revenue across various sectors of the economy.

“Payment of taxes will be cashless and digital to speed up time spent paying taxes and improve accountability in the tax collection process”

In answering questions on the perception of harassment from GRA officials, Mr. Edisi urged the attendees to take advantage of the newly created Tax Audit and Quality Assurance Department (TAQA) to report such officers for investigations and swift sanctions applied.

“Report these recalcitrant officers on condition of unanimity to TAQA and they will be punished accordingly if investigated and found guilty”

Mr. Dominic Naab and Mr. Victor Akogo, also of the GRA addressed attendees and answered questions about withholding taxes, VAT, exemptions, and tax assessment. They advised businesses to desist from making false representations during tax audits. The trade associations also applauded the government for its digital drive in tax collection but urged the GRA to communicate and engage with businesses on regular basis. They also called on the government as a matter of urgency to broaden the tax net and operationalize the TAX APPEALS BOARD.

 

About PSCAG

PSACG is a private sector association formed by the U.K-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC), American Chamber of Commerce-Ghana(AMCHAM), Canada Ghana Chamber of Commerce (CANCHAM), Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council (GNBCC), French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ghana (FCCIG), and the Association of Ghanaian Industries (AGI) in 2018 with the goal of addressing practices that impact the private sector negatively through advocacy and strategic dialogues.

 

The New US/Africa Relations Webinar

The American Business Council Nigeria, in partnership with the US Chamber of Commerce, AmCham Ghana, AmCham Kenya, and AmCham South Africa, held a webinar to highlight the critical concerns by African Nations and the US Business Community in Africa as well as chart the way forward for the US-Africa relationship.

The meeting featured remarks by the President of the U.S.- Africa Business Center/Sr. Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Scott Eisner, the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambs. Mary Beth Leonard, President of the American Business Council Nigeria, Dipo Faulkner, AmCham Ghana President, Ayesha Bedwei, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Akunna Cook, and AmCham South Africa President, Angela Russell.

The event also featured a panel consisting of Terence P. McCulley, Senior Director Africa Practice for McLarty Associates, Aubrey Hruby, Senior Fellow at the Africa Center at the Atlantic Council, and Akunna Cook for a discussion on U.S. – African relations.

AmCham Ghana Hosts Farewell Luncheon For Economic Section Chief – Hagen Maroney

AmCham Ghana, on Friday, May 28, 2021, hosted the Economic Section Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana, Hagen Maroney, for a farewell luncheon with the Chamber Executives.

Mr. Maroney has been instrumental in promoting and further strengthening economic relations between the United States and Ghana through several engagements with stakeholders and has actively participated in Chamber activities, contributing immensely to its development.

The luncheon was to formally extend AmCham Ghana’s appreciation for his service and contributions. Present at the lunch were the President of the Chamber, Ayesha Bedwei, the Vice President, Pakwo Shum, Former Presidents, Joe Mensah and Philippe Ayivor, and Executive Secretary of the Chamber, Simon Madjie.

The Chamber Executives expressed their appreciation for his works and wished him the best in his future endeavors.

 

 

AmCham Ghana – United Airline Corporate Breakfast

In collaboration with United Airlines on May 17, 2021, AmCham Ghana engaged members for a corporate breakfast hosted by United’s  VP for International Network & Alliances, Patrick Quayle.

The Corporate Breakfast meeting was to afford United the opportunity to introduce their new services and the airline’s leadership team to the American business community in Ghana.

On May 16, 2021, United re-launched its services to Ghana with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Washington D.C. AmCham Ghana President, Ayesha Bedwei, assured United’s Executives that the Chamber is committed to assisting the airline navigate the local business environment for profitable operations.

All United’s 787 Dreamliners are outfitted with the new cabins. You’ll find 28 Polaris pods, 21 Premium Plus recliners, 36 extra-legroom Economy Plus, and 158 coach seats on these retrofitted jets.

The airline is scheduled to run a thrice-weekly service from Kotoka International Airport to Dulles International. Learn more

United has eight hubs, with Chicago–O’Hare being its largest in terms of passengers carried and the number of departures. They are also a founding member of the Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance with a total of 28 member airlines.

AmCham Ghana Welcomes Twitter

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, welcomes with joy the news of Twitter setting up its first Africa office in Ghana. We believe this is a significant milestone in the development of the country’s tech sector and a further boost to the commercial relationship between Ghana and the United States of America.

As indicated by Twitter, this decision to set up in Ghana is greatly influenced by the country’s stellar democratic credentials and her support for free speech, online freedom, and the Open Internet, as well as the establishment of the AfCFTA Secretariat in Ghana, which is the result of favorable policies and improved business environment, of which AmCham Ghana is an advocate.

The chamber welcomes Twitter into the Ghanaian market and we look forward to working together in improving e-commerce, advocacy, and advancing the country’s tech sector for the future. Akwaaba.

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About AmCham Ghana

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, is the representative arm of U.S businesses and subsidiaries voluntarily working to create an environment where business can thrive between Ghanaian and American communities. The chamber promotes commercial, economic, educational, and cultural ties between the United States of America and the Republic of Ghana. AmCham Ghana is an affiliate of the U.S Chamber of Commerce, which is the world’s largest business association with over one million members worldwide.

 

Contact

Location: 5TH Crescent Street, Asylum Down

Post Address: P.O. Box CT2869, Cantonments-Accra, Ghana

Tel: 233 030 2247562/233 030 7011862

The Economy and Budget 2021: Challenges and Prospects Post COVID-19

AmCham Ghana on March 18, 2021, hosted PwC Tax Partner Abeku Gyan-Quansah and Associate Prof. at the Department of Economics and Dean of International Programmes Office at University of Ghana Eric Osei-Assibey for a discussion on the topic; The Economy and Budget 2021: Challenges and Prospects Post COVID-19 (What businesses should expect).

The speakers presented highlights of the recently approved 2021 budget, focusing on its tax elements and their implications for business administration and productivity. They also touched on the current state of the economy and some post-COVID-19 recovery measures instituted by the government of Ghana, as well as challenges and prospects these measures may pose to their businesses.

Watch the full event below.

New Member: Orkin Ghana Joins AmCham Ghana

The American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, is pleased to announce the global specialist in total pest control, Orkin Ghana, as a member of the Chamber.

Orkin is a trusted expert with over a century of experience. Using a proactive approach and proven solutions, Orkin’s experienced pest management professionals will create a pest control program specifically tailored for your business and home. We offer a scientific, customized approach grounded in the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control any pests with the least amount of chemicals.

Orkin operates in over 400 locations, serving more than a million customers.

AmCham Ghana Calls For The Speedy Implementation Of The Independent Tax Appeal Board

Executive Secretary of the American Chamber of Commerce, Ghana, Simon Madjie, has advocated for the speedy implementation of the Independent Tax Appeals Board to ease the litigation burden on businesses.

Speaking on the Joy Business News program on Thursday, March 18, Mr. Madjie said the speedy implementation of Act 1029, which establishes the Tax Appeals Board, will enhance the ease of doing business in the country and save time spent on litigation as affected parties can seek quick resolution from this independent body.

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The Power of a Data Strategy

In today’s digital world, most companies are flooded with data, both structured and unstructured. Indeed, data itself has become a commodity, and the mere possession of abundant amounts of data is not enough.

Businesses today experience no shortage of data in terms of quantity; the challenge is tapping into the enormous potential of that collected data and extracting value from it as a resource. Data may be the new oil, but it is only valuable if you have a reliable infrastructure.

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