The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Finance Ministry are facing a lawsuit over plans to grant tax waivers to 42 companies under the 1 District 1 Factory Initiative.
The suit was initiated by three Minority Members of Parliament, led by their Deputy Leader, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
The MPs are requesting that the Supreme Court suspend the tax waivers, arguing that they are not beneficial to the country.
The three MPs, Bernard Ahiafor (MP for Akatsi South), Kwame Agbodza (MP for Adaklu), and Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah (MP for Ellembelle), assert that the GRA’s decision to grant these tax waivers is not in the best interest of Ghana.
They argue that the tax waivers are inconsistent with and in contravention of Article 174 of the 1992 Constitution, deeming them unconstitutional. They are seeking a declaration from the Supreme Court that the waivers are null, void, and of no effect.
One of the plaintiffs, Bernard Ahiafor, is urging the Supreme Court to intervene for the sake of the country.
“It appears Article 174 of the Constitution is being violated, the Supreme Court is giving an exclusive jurisdiction to interpret, therefore, any citizen who is aggrieved that a particular portion of the Constitution is being contravened, the remedy available is to seek for interpretation and declaration at the Supreme Court which is the apex court.
“That is exactly what we have done in the circumstance, we’re seeking relief against the ones that are being implemented and the ones that are yet to be implemented,” he said.
About the tax waiver
On May 20, the government released a list of companies requesting tax waivers under the 1D1F initiative.
In 2021, the Ministry of Finance initiated processes to secure approximately $335,072,712.13 in tax exemptions for 42 companies participating in the government's One District One Factory initiative.
The Exemptions Act, 2022 (Act 1083), was presented in Parliament by the former Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, in 2022.
Among the companies, Sentuo Oil Refinery Limited, a newly established entity, has the highest requested exemption amounting to $164,633,012.00.
Latest Stories
-
Stampede in southwestern Nigerian city causes multiple deaths
7 minutes -
Tens of thousands without water in Mayotte as curfew brought in
21 minutes -
ORAL: We won’t witch-hunt, we’ll focus on transparency, not revenge – Ablakwa
44 minutes -
Attempted robbery: Accused claims he carried cutlass for protection
1 hour -
Excavator operator jailed for stealing
1 hour -
African fans age-shame me for putting on some outfits – Tiwa Savage
1 hour -
Embattled Liberian speaker questioned by police over parliament fire
3 hours -
‘I won’t be a judge in my own court; ORAL is about protecting public purse’ – Ablakwa
3 hours -
Bawumia joins thousands in Kumasi for burial prayers for Ashanti Regional Imam
3 hours -
Blue Gold Bogoso Prestea Limited challenges government actions in court
4 hours -
Verdicts due for 51 men in Pelicot mass rape trial that shook France
4 hours -
Syria not a threat to world, rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa tells BBC
4 hours -
Patrick Atangana Fouda: ‘A hero of the fight against HIV leaves us’
5 hours -
Trinity Oil MD Gabriel Kumi elected Board Chairman of Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies
5 hours -
ORAL campaign key to NDC’s election victory – North America Dema Naa
6 hours