The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has criticized Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his recent comments regarding the operations of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).Dr. Bawumia accused the GRA of harassing businesses under the guise of tax collection during a dialogue with members of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

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These discussions were part of the manifesto committee's efforts to gather input for the upcoming 2024 elections.The Vice President attributed the issue to the GRA's practice of setting unattainable targets for its officers, leading them to impose excessive taxes on established businesses.

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In response, the Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Samson Asaki Awingobit, issued a statement on Monday, March 25, 2024, cautioning that they would not be influenced by Dr. Bawumia's tactics for a third time.The Association called on the Vice President to apologize to the business community for his failure to fulfill promises.

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"Ghanaian Importers and Exporters would like to tell the Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and his likes that, we will not fall victim to their shenanigans for the third time. We will judge him and others based on their performance and not on deceit-induced campaign promises which will end up becoming another mirage," the Association stated.They emphasized their determination not to be deceived by Dr.

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Bawumia's unfulfilled pledges as a tactic to secure votes in the forthcoming December elections.The statement also expressed that, instead, "We expect the Vice President to apologize to the business community for failing to uphold his campaign commitments and not resort to last-minute populist gestures."Moreover, the Association underscored that over the past six years, Dr.

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Bawumia has remained silent on this and other crucial issues, failing to urge the GRA to review its tax collection methods. This lack of action has resulted in the departure of numerous businesses from the country.

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"The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana can best describe the Vice President’s recent stand as a populist attempt to redeem his image in the eyes of the business community, considering the fact that he as a Vice president kept mute on this issue among other issues for the past 6 years failing to prompt the Ghana Revenue Authority on the need to change their modus of tax collection which has forced many businesses out of the country,"

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it noted.Nevertheless, the Ghana Revenue Authority Workers' Union (GRAWU) voiced their dissatisfaction with a statement allegedly made by Dr. Bawumia suggesting that the GRA is mistreating taxpayers.

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