President Akufo-Addo

President Akufo-Addo

President must pay tax — Bernard Mornah

Daily Graphic Politics Jun - 01 - 2018 , 16:58

The West Africa Coordinator of the Pan African Federalist Movement (PAFM) and National Chairman of the People’s National Convention (PNC), Mr Bernard Mornah, has said it is unfair for the President to be exempted from the country’s tax net and calls for his inclusion to serve as an example to others.

Mr Mornah made a strong case that the First Gentleman of the land earns an income as an employee of the state and that should warrant his obligation to pay a taxable percentage on his remuneration to the state.

He cannot fathom why the Vice- President is not offered the same opportunity as the President.

Payment of taxes

While blaming Ghana’s Constitution for the laxity, he explained his position by stressing: “It is unfair for the President to be excluded from the payment of taxes. He is the First Gentleman of the land and a good example must be set in that regard.

I am struggling to understand why the Vice-President is rather required to pay tax. That is the law but I think it is wrong and must be changed.”

His comments were in response to a question asked by a pupil about whether the President paid tax during an interactive session with some pupils of the St Martin De Porres School in Accra last Wednesday.

The encounter, which was held on the theme: “Our Taxes Build a Great Ghana, was at the instance of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) as part of activities to mark its Citizenship Week celebration.

Encouragement

Mr Mornah encouraged the pupils to build a tax-paying mindset as part of their academic development in order to contribute to the economic strength of the country.
“By law, you are not supposed to pay tax as children.

Even with that, you pay indirect tax anytime you purchase an item.

As citizens of this country, you are required to observe good hygiene, patriotism, peace, unity and all other activities that promotes nation building.

But all of these are not enough until you fulfil your tax obligations, “ he noted.

He seized the occasion to enlighten the pupils on the various taxes they were likely to honour now or in future.

They include the Income Tax ,the Gift Tax,the Corporate Tax, Pay As You Earn (PAYE), the Property Tax and the Value Added Tax (VAT). He also made mention of the Tax Identification Number (TIN) and entreated the pupils to get one for themselves when they were matured.

Occasion

The broad theme for the NCCE programme this year is “Our Nation, our Heritage: Consolidating Ghana’s Democratic Gains .”

The occasion is used to set the agenda for schoolchildren to join in the awareness creation campaign on tax compliance and also to inculcate in them the culture of tax paying as they grow to become responsive adults.

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