Traders within the Central Business District in the Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region have embarked on a 3-day protest by closing down their shops over taxes imposed on their businesses by the government.
As of today, October 10, most of the locked-up shops had red bands to signify their concerns about taxes.
The traders are also kicking against a decision by the Ghana Revenue Authority to station their officers at each shop to record Value Added Tax (VAT) on products they sell.
The affected shops are for traders who deal in groceries at Pampaso and PZ, located in the Central Business District.
Some shop owners want the government to reduce the taxes on businesses.
Just a year ago, on September 2021, Traders at Kumasi Kejetia market also shut down their businesses over what they described as the high cost of electricity at the new market.
The traders at a news conference said the facility’s electricity cost was extremely high, which took a chunk of their revenues.
Mr Andy Coffie, the PRO of the traders, who addressed the press, revealed that the Kejetia Market of about 7,240 stalls used one metre.
According to him, the situation led to the high electricity Tariffs at the market, informing their decision to close down shops.
He said leaders of the traders have managed to acquire some metres from the electricity company of Ghana to fix in each of the shops, however authorities of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly have not given them approval despite many meetings with them.