The first in a series of lectures and symposia to mark the 50th anniversary of the United God Coast Convention was held in Accra last night. Professor John Fynn of the Department of History of the University of Ghana, who spoke on the background to the formation of the UGCC, said the vision of the founding fathers of the UGCC as an anti-colonial political movement was the transfer of the political mantle to elected representatives of the people through non-violent means. The early nationalist agitations were therefore expressed in the form of demands for self-government within the shortest possible time. Professor Fynn said the UGCC lit the torch of Ghana's independence struggle and broke the colonial barriers that stifled the growth of mass nationalistic movements. The National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, Mr.. Peter Alaa Adjetey, who chaired the function said until the country begins to enjoy real political and economic independence, the vision of the founding fathers will be undermined.
RUMPUS OVER 15% SERVICE TAX ON LOTTO : BY JAMES AMOAK
Private lotto operators, lotto agents and stakers in Ghana have reacted angrily to the imposition of a 15% service Tax on the face value of lotto coupons. The new tax took effect on August 1, 1997. The imposition of the new tax was the culmination of a series of meetings between officials of the International Revenue Service and Lotto operators. The IRS says the government's motive for introducing the new fax is to broaden the tax net in order to increase the governments revenue base.
Lotto agents are supposed to collect the fax from stakers when they purchase lotto coupons. The amount collected will then be paid to the District and Regional offices of the IRS by the proprietors of the Lotto companies. The new tax is expected to generate about ?15 billion cedis annually. The commissioner of the International Revenue Service, Mr.. David Adom (who succeeded Ghana's Vice-President, former boss of the IRS) tested the pulse of lotto operators lotto agents and stakers on July 25 when he officially launched the new taxi He urged all Ghanaians to accept the tax to enable the government generate more revenue for development, Mr.. Adom said the government wants to expand the tax net to ensure that all Ghanaians contribute their widow's mite to the national kitty or this will also reduce government's over-dependence on petroleum tax as a major source of direct tax revenue, while some of the Lotto operators cautiously welcomed the new tax some of the most outspoken ones described it as very harsh and called for its suspension until all stakeholders have been properly educated on the nitty-gritty's of the fax. One of them, Mr.. S.A. Dolley, Director of Golden Souvenir Lotto Company was not happy about the rat race in the lotto industry. He accused some ministers of collecting bribes from some individuals who want to cash in on the loopholes in the National Lotto Amendment Act, 1989 PNDC Law 223 which opened the flood gates for illegal "Banker-to-Banker" lotto operates to mushroom in the country. Mr.. Dolley called for a review of the Law to ensure a more level playing field for all lotto operators.
Representatives of the Association of lotto writers and stakers took a swipe at the IRS accusing it of slighting them by not inviting them to contribute their views during the deliberations that culminated in the new tax, illegal "Banker-to-Banker" lotto operators to mushroom in the country, Mr.. Dolley called for a review of the law to ensure a more level playing field for all lotto operators.
Representatives of the Association of Lotto Receivers, Writers and Stakers who attended the launching ceremony at the Golden Tulip hotel in Accra took a swipe at the IRS. They were not happy that they had not been invited to contribute to the discussions that culminated in the promulgation of the new Lotto tax law. The lotto agents threatened to sabotage the new system unless its implementation is suspended and the various stakeholders invited to work out a more acceptable tax regime. When officials of the Internal Revenue Service in Kumasi and Takoradi organised public forms to educate the people about the new tax, the reaction was very hostile. Reports from Kumasi and Takoradi indicated that lotto agents and stakers decided to vent their anger on the IRS officials and called for the suspension of the lotto tax. Some stakers queried why lotto stakers should be made to pay a tax on money they are not sure of getting back. Some of the stakers felt the government was just insensitive to the hardships ordinary Ghanaians are facing; said Mr.. S.A. Dolley, Director of Golden Souvenir Lotto told the Gri that the IRS has no justification for imposing a tax on lotto stakers. He said under the National Weekly lotto Act of 1965, anybody who wins at a particular draw is expected to pay 10% of the amount won as betting tax.
He therefore suggested that the IRS should invoice that law and impose the tax on all winnings rather than on staking. In the past two months there have been demonstrations and public reactions to the astronomical increase in electricity tariffs. The Electricity Company of Ghana last month announced new tariffs increases of between 180% and 300%. The Association of Ghana Industries was the first to react to the increases, Ghanaian industrialists felt the sharp increases would increase their cost of production and overhead costs. This could lead to lay-offs and stoppage of work. Domestic consumers of electricity also feel the increases are just unbearable in view of the low levels of salaries and wages in the country. The minimum national wage was recently increased by about 15% from ?1,700.00 to ?2,000.00.
President Rawlings ordered the ECG to suspend the increases until a bill to that effect has been presented to Parliament for debate.
What is obvious is that the tariffs may be reduced only slightly to "cool the hearts" of angry consumers. The government does not want to see a repeat of the 1995 "Kume Preko" demonstration against the introduction of the value Added Tax. The government was forced by this mass protest to withdraw the VAT.
Government Delegation To OAU CONFAB Returns Home
A Ghanaian government delegation tot he fifth OAU Conference of Ministers responsible for Animal Resources held in Mbabane, Swaziland, has returned home on August 2. It was led by a Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mr.. Mike Acheampong. The other member of the delegation is Dr.. J.K. Obinim Director of Veterinary Services. The conference was under the theme "To ensure self-sufficiency in food of animal origin as we move into the 21st Century". Speaking to newsmen on arrival at the Kotoka Airport Mr.. Acheampong said the conference set out to revive strategies for the development of the livestock sector. He said participants resolved to adopt measures that would promote the development of livestock and agricultural products. They emphasised the need for each member country to have a clear cut livestock policy. The resolution said those who already have such a policy should be assisted by the OAU to secure financial support to implement it. Mr.. Acheampong added that it was decided that in designing the policies, member states should consider the comparative advantages of harmonizing and coordinating their national policies under a regional policy framework.
Book on Journalistic Ethics Launched
A book on Journalistic Ethics has been launched in Accra. The book, titled Journalism and Ethics, was written by Dr.. Anthony Bonnah Koomson of the School of Communications Studies, University of Ghana, and published by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Mr.. Mahama described the G.I.A. Code of Ethics as very comprehensive and captures what is needed to have a truly responsible media. The Deputy Minister said while it is the duty of the media to put government in check, people who accept to serve their society in public offices, also require fairness in terms of what is written about them. The President of the West African journalists Association, Mr.. Kabral Blay-Amihere, who chaired the function, said Ghana can be counted among the countries in Africa where there is press freedom. He, however, regretted that the National Media Commission, which is supposed to be one of the pillars for the promotion of free and responsible press, is not working.
CHRAJ Organises Workshop in Tardi
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice has organised a workshop in Takoradi under the theme: "Freedom and Justice as the Cornerstone for Development". The Western Regional Minister, Mrs.. Esther Nkansah who opened the seminar said the theme is very appropriate as freedom and justice are the bedrocks of any democratic dispensation. Further more, development is the primary focus of our national endeavors. Mrs.. Nkansah stressed that the concept of Human Rights, Freedom and Justice can only succeed if it is understood and appreciated by the ordinary citizens. The Regional Minister urged the Commission to extend the educational programme to all regions and districts. The Commissioner of CHRAJ, Mr.. Emil Francis Short, said respect for human rights is a minimum condition for nurturing democracy in the society. He said all rights go with responsibilities and urged all citizens to respect the rights of others.
Bridge Over River Dayi Commissioned
A 150 metre-long footbridge over Rive Dayi has been commissioned at Hohoe. The ?48 million cedi bridge links Gbi-Hohoe with Gbi-Akpatame where most of the foodstuff in the Hohoe District comes form. Money for the bridge were mobilised by a citizen of the town Mr.. Cephas Benseh who resides in Germany. he is the Development Chief of the Gbi Traditional Area. Mr.. Bansah also donated a pumping machine for pumping water from Kpoeta to Wegbe. The Paramount Chief of Gbi Traditional Area, Togbi Gabusu, congratulated Mr.. Bansah and his German donors for their assistance. During the Commissioning ceremony, Mr.. Bansah presented a mini but to the "Zemba" Football Club at Hohoe.
Seminar on VAT at Capecoast
75 Information Officers from the Southern sector of the country have attended a two day seminar on the Value Added Tax (VAT) at the University of Cape Coast. The Deputy Central regional Minister, Mr.. Jehu-Appiah, told the participants that the government is re-introducing the VAT not to inflict hardship on the people as is being expressed by some people but in response to an ECOWAS protocol which requires all countries in the West African sub-region to institute the system by 1999. Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Cote d'Ivoire and Burkina Faso have already started operating the system. Mr.. Jehu-Appiah said VAT will not only help to broaden the tax net, but also reduce over dependence on petroleum revenue tax as a major source of government revenue. The Director of VAT, Mr.. E.F. Asamoah, advised the Information Officers to use the seminar to update their knowledge and help to educate the public on the need to fulfil their tax obligations.
IRS ON LOTTO TAX The Inernal Revenue Service and lotto operators have agreed that lotto stakers who pay the 15% service tax in addition to the face value of the coupon purchased should be paid 240 times the amount staked if they win. The agreement was reached at a meeting between officials of the IRS and lotto operators in Accra.
The lotto operators demanded that any staker who pays only the face value of the lotto coupon purchased will be paid 200 times the amount staked if they win two numbers drawn. The IRS urged the lotto operators to collect the 15% service tax and the seven-and-a half percent income tax on commissions paid to lotto agents on or before the last working day of the month and submit returns to the IRS. The Managing Director of Golden Souvenir Company Mr.. S.A. Dolley appealed to lotto agents to cooperate with the operators by paying the seven-and-a half percent tax on their commissions.
He commended the IRS for accepting the proposals put forward by the operators and assured the IRS that he and his colleagues will support all efforts to expand the tax net to generate more revenue for the gov't.
by James Amoak.
