GNCCI urges simplified tax system to ease business costs

By Stephen Freeman

The Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) has urged government to simplify and consolidate the country’s complex tax regime as part of measures to reduce the cost of doing business.

The Chamber believes that introducing a single, transparent Value Added Tax (VAT) rate will improve compliance and reduce the administrative burden on firms.

It also wants the government to lower existing tax rates, which have contributed to rising production costs across the country.

Government has indicated that consultations are underway to reform the tax structure in the 2026 Budget, in line with broader fiscal consolidation efforts under the IMF-supported programme.

However, business associations including the GNCCI insist that reforms must go beyond revenue mobilisation to include practical steps that stimulate growth and support local enterprises.

Speaking at the Chamber’s 49th Annual General Meeting, GNCCI President Stephane Miezan reiterated the Chamber’s key proposals.

“The Chamber wants government to review downwards existing taxes, including simplifying and consolidating VAT and all levies into a single transparent VAT rate, and remove the COVID-19 levy which has outlived its purpose,” he stated.

Mr Miezan added that the Chamber also wants government to “introduce turnover and employment-based corporate tax thresholds, remove VAT on insurance premiums to enhance accessibility for households and SMEs, and grant a three-year tax holiday for startups to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and job creation.”