We have been left out of budget review consultations - IEAG

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has raised concerns over the lack of inclusive consultation by the Ministry of Finance ahead of the Mid-Year Budget Review scheduled for Thursday, July 24, 2025.

The Association claims it was excluded from a recent Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) meeting focused on proposed VAT reforms, despite being a key player in Ghana’s trading sector.

Speaking to Citi News on Sunday, July 20, 2025, the Executive Secretary of the IEAG, Samson Asaki Awingobit, said the government's approach to stakeholder engagement has not been transparent.

“I was in a meeting last week when I heard that the GRA was holding discussions with the business community on VAT reforms. I reached out to their communications officer and asked, ‘Which stakeholders are you talking to, if we weren’t invited?’” he stated.

According to him, GRA officials claimed they were engaging stakeholders in phases and would reach out later.

However, with only days to the budget review, the IEAG says it has still not been contacted.

The Association is urging the Finance Ministry to broaden the consultative process to ensure that all voices within the trading sector are heard before any new tax measures are introduced.

DR/MA

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