The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) has urged the Mahama administration to avoid introducing new taxes in the 2025 Budget, stressing that traders are already burdened by existing levies.

With the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, set to present the budget on March 11, GUTA President Dr. Joseph Obeng emphasized that businesses cannot withstand additional tax pressures. His remarks follow a recent engagement between the minister and traders to discuss their concerns.

“We’re not expecting new taxes. We’re also not going to be worried when new taxes are tailored to bring in people outside the tax net to pay. That one, we will not be worried. But what we will be worried about is just compounding the taxes on a few of us who pay,” Dr. Obeng stated in an interview with Channel One News’ Charles Owusu Kumi.

While welcoming the government’s decision to remove some levies, including the betting tax and e-levy, Dr. Obeng stressed the need for a broader tax base rather than imposing additional burdens on compliant taxpayers.

“Expanding the tax net is welcomed. And whichever means they do to rope in a lot more people who are outside the tax net to come in is also a welcome news,” he added.

He further praised the Finance Minister’s initiative to engage traders ahead of the budget, describing it as a step in the right direction.

“It’s the best thing to do. It gives me hope; it’s very worthwhile and refreshing, and I’m happy about that. It’s the best thing that could ever have happened to us, and we’re very grateful,” Dr. Obeng said.

As traders brace for the upcoming budget, they remain hopeful that their concerns will be taken into account in shaping policies that promote business growth.