It is incomprehensible that some companies and individuals import goods without paying the right taxes and levies and get away with it. The authorities turn a blind eye to such malpractices because they and their cronies are major beneficiaries.
Can anyone imagine that a company can under invoice their imports, refuse to use VAT invoices and encourage customers not to take VAT invoices and continue to flourish in business in Ghana? Yes! Such things are happening right under our noses. Government revenues are blatantly being siphoned into few peoples� pockets.
What are the results of such malpractices? Let us together put our heads together and name a few: -
1. SHS feeding grants are delayed or probably not paid. Schools are closed; no classes and students stay at home
2. Infrastructures such as hospitals, roads, schools etc break down.
3. Lack of proper social services for the people.
4. Hospitals are starved of adequate drugs.
5. Poor educational facilities etc.
The above indicate that we are our own worse enemies Vigilance, transparency and commitment on the part of officials that oversee the business at our various ports will help Ghana to become a financially independent. Ghana would not need to go begging for aid. With proper collection of revenue at the ports and other revenue collection points in the country coupled with what God has graciously endowed us with, we will be able to feed ourselves, fund our education to the tertiary level and have the best health service in Africa. What is wrong? Who is to blame?
Indeed what is wrong with all of us? We are all to be blamed. Each one of us has a story to tell about the activities at the ports. We must rise up and face the monster known as �C O R R U P T I O N.�
In a nutshell, if the inspection agencies and the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service of Ghana Revenue Authority exercise due diligence to arrest these malpractices, the country will definitely see a great leap in the revenue accrued to the state. Once this is done, the rest will automatically be regularized.
Let us wake up and clean the PORTS. This is our second gold mine.
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