The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has criticised Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson for failing to ensure inclusive stakeholder engagement ahead of the upcoming mid-year budget review scheduled for Thursday, July 24.
The Association raised concerns over a recent meeting organised by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to discuss proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) reforms
Alleging that several key trading bodies, including theirs were excluded from the discussions.
Speaking to Citi news on July 20, 2025, IEAG Executive Secretary, Samson Asaki Awingobit questioned the transparency and fairness of the government’s approach to stakeholder consultations.
“I was in a meeting last week when I heard the GRA was engaging the business community on VAT reforms. I texted their communications officer and said…
‘You claim to be inviting stakeholders, but you’ve left out the most relevant ones.’ Later, they’ll say they’ve done consultations who exactly did they speak to?
“They told me it was a group-based engagement and that they’d reach out to me. But as it stands, just days before the budget review…
”We the Association of Importers and Exporters have still not been invited,” he said.
The Association is urging the Finance Ministry to adopt a more inclusive approach.
Genuinely reflects the interests of all key stakeholders in the trade sector before finalising any fiscal policies.