The President of GHATOF Okatakyie Nana Anim I, said that since the Nana Addo-led government professes to believe in Public Private Partnership, it must implement it in all aspects.
The Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF) has said that the government needs hold further consultations with them in determining taxes and levies for the industry.
The President of GHATOF Okatakyie Nana Anim I, told Accra-based Citi FM that since the Nana Addo-led government professes to believe in Public Private Partnership, it must implement it in all aspects.
“The authorities engage us in some cases but at the end of the day when it comes to monetary aspect, we are excluded. But then we believe in our sector minister for now because she believes in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) concept. When you look at the environment, the private sector is supposed to drive the industry growth it is not the public sector.”
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He added that an engagement between all stakeholders will reduce the burden for businesses in the tourism industry.
The industry has in times past expressed concern over the multiplicity of taxes which they say increase the cost of operation for hoteliers making some unprofitable.
Some have also threatened to lay off workers if this trend is not looked at.
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However, Okatakyie Nana Anim I said to prevent this from happening, “the public sector is to support the private sector; for instance, if you take road, no private sector can construct one but it is the duty of the government to do that so that we will work and pay taxes. But if taxes are taken, then we need to sit down and work it together so we do it as a team.”
Some of the taxes and levies hoteliers in Ghana pay are the Fire certificate, business operating license, Tourism Development Levy, standards certification.
Meanwhile, they also have to deal with the high cost of utility (water and electricity) bills.
The President of GHATOF Okatakyie Nana Anim I, said that since the Nana Addo-led government professes to believe in Public Private Partnership, it must implement it in all aspects. Read Full Story
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