Tourism Ministry engages GRA to restructure creative sector taxes
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, led by Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has taken a significant step to support Ghana’s culture and creative arts sector by engaging with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to discuss taxation and policy issues affecting creatives.
The meeting brought together key industry players and tax administrators to explore ways to restructure taxation in a manner that supports growth in the sector rather than hindering it.
A new digital tool called the Ntoboa app is being introduced to help creatives manage their tax obligations more efficiently.
“What we lack is why we are here. We have a teeming number of talented young people, but without proper structures and understanding, the sector cannot thrive. We are here to find a human-centred approach to taxation,” the Minister stated.
He praised President John Mahama for recognising the creative sector’s value by realigning the ministry in 2013 to formally include Creative Arts, stating that the sector’s contribution to tourism and national revenue must be acknowledged and nurtured.
Commissioner-General of the GRA, Mr Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, affirmed the Authority’s commitment to supporting the sector, noting: “If we shut down this sector, there would be a crisis in this country.”
He highlighted that taxes fund national development and stressed the importance of finding a mutually beneficial framework for compliance that considers the peculiar challenges of creatives.
A key highlight of the meeting was the introduction of the Ntoboa app, aimed at helping creatives better manage their tax obligations and contributions. The platform is expected to improve transparency and simplify the tax process for industry players.
The Minister also announced initiatives to use theatre and performing arts to educate creatives on tax issues.
“We’ll work with National Theatre players and theatre groups to raise awareness through community-based skits, flash performances and market outreach,” she added.
The session ended with a mutual agreement to reconvene for a more detailed working session, where a roadmap and possible incentives for the sector will be discussed further.
