NDC will deal with GRA taxes on events – Rex Omar

Musician cum politician, Rex Owusu Marfo, popularly called Rex Omar, says the National Democratic Congress will tackle all Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) tax-related issues at showbiz events if they win power in the December elections.

According to him, it is unprofessional and inappropriate for the GRA to invade the event of an artist or organisers, demanding tax payment without probing the cost incurred in holding the event.

He said, “We will deal with all these situations to make sure that the creative industry and economy of Ghana take its proper place.”

He made this statement in review of the NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama’s policy to support the creative art and culture industry dubbed ‘The Black Star Experience’ on Joy Prime’s Prime Morning show.

The politician further assured that the Mahama-led administration will negotiate with Corporate Ghana to issue some tax incentives to companies that support the creative industry.

“You cannot go to an event centre and start taking taxes on tickets that people are buying without you even knowing how much money the event organiser has invested in the event. So, at the end of the day, if you take the taxes from the event by the sale of tickets, then the guy spends, let’s say, a hundred (100) or two hundred (200) thousand to organise the event and sell only 100 thousand tickets, and you’ve taken taxes out of the 100 thousand tickets. Isn’t it supposed to be an income tax? The guy didn’t even break even, yet you’ve taken money from him.”

“We will also be talking to corporate Ghana so that companies that support the creative industry can be given some tax incentives,” he said on Wednesday.

All these measures, he asserted, are geared towards developing the creative economy so as to be able to initiate more sustainable jobs for the citizenry under the supervision of appointed technical team members.

Therefore, the party is ready to devise all methods necessary to improve the sector in order to attract foreign investors' attention and interest in collaborations and other promotional deals.

 “Any means that we will use to support this industry to grow so as to be able to export cultural products to bring foreign direct investment and money to support our economy, that is what we’re going to do and also create platforms for Ghanaian creatives,”

As to whether the GRA’s presence would be permitted at the events, Rex Omar noted that they would be allowed to appear at the venues but would not have complete power to operate as compared to the current happenings.

As part of the NDC’s campaign policies, Mr. Mahama unveiled the ambitious "The Black Experience" plan to rejuvenate Ghana’s creative industry during a media encounter on Sunday, July 7.

The comprehensive policy framework is designed to enhance the tourism and creative arts sectors, expressing optimism about the initiative and emphasising its potential to significantly bolster these industries.

The initiative encompasses several major innovations, including Pan African Month, Ghana Film Festival and Awards Month, Ghanaian Heritage and History Month, Fashion and Food Month, and Diasporan Month.

Source:MyjoyOnline.com