Economist and finance expert, Professor Godfred Bokpin, highlights that low and middle-income earners in Ghana bear a heavier tax burden compared to the wealthy.

He argues that these tax policies exacerbate the country's inherent inequality, widening the gap between the poor and the rich.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Prof. Bokpin expressed concern over the government's focus on consumption-based taxes, which disproportionately affect low-income individuals, contributing to increased inequality in the nation.

"The way the government taxes the citizens is very important for narrowing inequality. Unfortunately, Ghana has chosen a path that worsens inequality because of the consumption-based taxes that we are focusing on. Such taxes affect the poor and marginalized more than they do the rich," he said.

He highlighted that taxes based on consumption, particularly those applied to petroleum products, the electronic levy (E-levy), and VAT hikes, disproportionately affect low-income individuals.

According to Oxfam International, the wealthiest ten percent of Ghanaians currently consume 32 percent of the nation's total output, while the poorest ten percent consume just two percent.

Prof. Bokpin recommended that the government transition from consumption-based taxes to income taxes, targeting the country's ultra-rich and high-income earners.

He proposed that this strategy could yield $500 million in tax revenue for the government.

"If we can look at our tax regime and ensure that those who have extra income are able to contribute more, it can help us generate more income for the country. If we had made some progress in taxing high-net-worth individuals, we would be able to raise $500 million from the super-rich. This country has many super-rich people. We might assume that times are hard, but all is well with the super-rich in the country. Focusing on taxing them can do a lot for us as a country," he said.

The economist encouraged the government to seek policies that encourage high-income individuals to pay more taxes."