Members of the Ghana Plastic Manufacturers Association are threatening to halt production for a week if its request for extensive consultation with the Ministry of Finance on the implementation of the five per cent excise tax is not met.
They claimed the Ministry of Finance had yet to respond to a letter of request for a meeting, since April 2024.
The Association said over 30,000 workers were likely to be laid off temporarily should the members embark on the industrial action.
It, therefore, asked the Government to immediately and indefinitely suspend the tax on the ex-factory prices of all locally manufactured plastic products.
“At this stage, we appeal to the Vice-President, Dr Bawumia to intervene in this matter because the effect of the consumer tax will really affect the masses.
"The common man, the common woman will suffer extreme hardship,” said Mr Ebbo Botwe, the President of the Association at a press briefing on Wednesday.
He said, the tax was “obnoxious and retrogressive” for manufacturing and would impact a wide range of industries whose products were consumed daily.
“If this new tax is implemented in its current form, it will bring a cascading high-rise effect on prices of products that affect our everyday lives because plastics and plastic packaging form about 98 per cent of our daily basic needs.
“Let me remind you that over 92 per cent of industries and businesses in Ghana depend on the Ghana Plastic Manufacturers for all their plastic packaging needs,” he added.
He observed that some plastic companies had relocated to the neighbouring Ivory Coast and exported finished products to Ghana due to the instability of the currency as well as the higher tax regime.
The Association also called on the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to desist from harassing plastic manufacturers with demand notices and threats for members to start filing for the excise tax with effect June 21, 2024.
At the press briefing were representatives from the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), the Food and Beverage Association of Ghana, the Plastic Sellers Association of Ghana and the Association of Sachet and Packaged Water Producers.
Latest Stories
-
KNUST health doctoral candidates equipped with skills for informed decision-making
12 mins -
Moscow – A vibrant city of opportunities amidst challenges
14 mins -
Rotary Club of Kumasi, Premier International inaugurated
27 mins -
Foreign journalists tour conflict zones in Russia amid heightened tensions
36 mins -
PSWU-NIA division rejects Fair Wages’ proposed date, warns of potential strike
50 mins -
Foreign media delegation engages with young people in Zaporizhzhia region
52 mins -
Primary healthcare professionals seize AHEHC’s health entrepreneurship training opportunity
1 hour -
African Journalists visit ‘African Initiative’ news agency in Russia to strengthen bilateral ties
2 hours -
Star Oil unveils ‘Star Loyalty Card’ in a move to enhance customer experience
2 hours -
Cement manufacturers boycott stakeholder meeting with Trade Minister on new price regulation
2 hours -
Paris 2024: Harry Stacey and Joselle Mensah to represent Ghana in Swimming
2 hours -
PURC’s ‘Year of Strategic Impact’ gets results in Bono East Region
3 hours -
I listen to Kofi Kinaata and Stonebwoy because of the wisdom in their songs – Ohemaa Mercy
3 hours -
NSMQ2024: KNUST SHS makes grand entry of 76 points to national championship
3 hours -
Trump win as top court deals blow to Jan 6 case
3 hours