In spite of the high turnouts recorded at comedy shows in recent times, Ghanaian comedian OB Amponsah has revealed they hardly make gains at such events.
OB made the statement while contributing to a discussion on challenges faced by creatives in fulfillment of their tax obligations on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z on Saturday July 1, 2023.
He said the cost of production, logistics and taxes make it impossible to earn meaning profits from their events.
“You incur a lot of debts and when you are done, you have to go and pay GRA from your debts. I think it is tough. That is when we start asking what the government has done for is,” he told the host Kwame Dadzie.
“I am telling you the truth that for all the shows we have done, we barely break even. But we believe that stand-up comedy is a growing industry. What we do is that we motivate ourselves that it will be better then we continue and gradually it is getting better,” he added.
He appealed to the appropriate authorities to be lenient on showbiz events when it comes to tax payment.
"I feel like some of these shows, there should be a bit of leniency from the government. Especially, if you are not giving us grants at least you should spare us some taxes,” he further noted.
In her response to concerns about taxes on complementary tickets and the request to give tax holiday to fledgling entertainment companies, Beatrice Nyawuto, the Principal Revenue Officer at the Debt Management Compliance and Enforcement unit of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) said the stakeholders of the creative industry should collectively present a petition to Cmmissioner General of the GRA in this regard.
OB Amponsah has been organising his personal comedy specials for the past few years. Other Ghanaian comedians like DKB, Comedian Warris, Jacinta, MJ the Comedian, Romanus, Lekzy DeComic, Putogo, among others have all kept the comedy culture alive with their periodic events.
On Saturday, July 1, 2023, OB Amponsah and Lekzy DeComic staged a show dubbed ‘Journey to the South’ at the National Theatre.
Watch the discussion on TAXATION IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY on Showbiz A-Z below:
Latest Stories
-
East Legon crash: Police pursue TikTokers for ‘false claims’ about Salifu Amoako’s son’s location
22 mins -
Severe food shortage force some SHSs to serve repetitive meals
32 mins -
Don Julio 1942 launched by Guinness Ghana Breweries with an enchanting Halloween Ball celebration
33 mins -
3 Central Region MCEs intensify cholera control efforts after 5 deaths
40 mins -
Bawumia’s 12 ‘Bold Steps’ to expand educational opportunities for all
41 mins -
Mahama criticises NPP for accumulating energy debt to pass on to next NDC gov’t
41 mins -
Agromonti empowers Techiman farmers with sustainable agriculture training in CSR event
47 mins -
Ghanaians deserve certificates for enduring hardship under NPP – Mahama
47 mins -
AG’s office needs 1,500 public attorneys for proper discharge of functions – Godfred Dame
48 mins -
Court sentences man to life imprisonment for murdering girlfriend; daughter
1 hour -
Bawumia’s $80 bn value claim for Spotify, false – Dubawa
1 hour -
GBA President calls for transparent and fair December election
1 hour -
November 8 not a public holiday – Interior Ministry
2 hours -
Policies the Church can promote to ensure every birth by a congregant is wanted, not unintended
2 hours -
Next NPP government to build new AG offices in all regions – Godfred Dame
2 hours