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0 The Country Senior Partner at PWC Ghana, Vish Ashiagbor, has stated that the success of Ghana’s VAT reform hinges on collective will and sustained commitment from all stakeholders.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition on Thursday, March 13, he stated that while there is a growing consensus on the need for change, it remains to be seen whether implementation will follow through effectively.
“A wait and see attitude?” he was asked acknowledging skepticism around whether the reforms will truly take hold.
“So it’s a matter of our collective will—the will of government, the will of the business community, the will of the citizens generally. But I think there’s a real sense this time that something has to give,” he said.
Mr Ashiagbor pointed out that the government’s budget, along with broader discussions at the National Economic Dialogue, reflects a shared understanding that the current tax system cannot continue as is.
“Now, if you take it all the way from what was in the government’s or the current government’s manifesto, the conversations we all had at the National Economic Dialogue, the consultations that the government went through in putting together this budget, I think that there’s a consensus that something has to give. We cannot continue with our old ways.”
He stressed that successful reform requires everyone to “play their part and actually live with some of these difficult decisions.”
He referenced the Finance Minister’s remarks, highlighting that “it’s time to make some difficult choices, and to the extent that we all acknowledge that, then I think it should work.”
A key aspect of the reform effort is the introduction of initiatives aimed at improving tax compliance and public awareness.
“There are initiatives that we’ve not seen before about, for example, public education on the need for people to pay their taxes.
“The Minister spoke about, I think, quarterly dialogue with the business community, the GRA, and the Ministry of Finance, so I think all of those things are designed to bring everybody to the table.”
Vish Ashiagbor emphasized that transparency and consistency will be critical in ensuring that these efforts lead to meaningful change.
“So far as there’s transparency, there’s a consensus, I think we should be able to get there. And those things have not been there previously—we just need to stick with it, and hopefully with the will behind it, we’ll get there.”
