The financial secretary of the Ghana Hoteliers Association, Kordzovi Ahadzi has revealed that the hotel industry is the most hard-hit following the ban on social gathering directive by President Akuffo-Addo as parts of measures to minimize the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr. Ahadzi said, "though the ban is necessary and appropriate, it also requires some interventions that would keep hotel owners in business."
He stated that since the announcement of a ban on social gatherings, most of the hotels have recorded zero patronage.
"We have funerals in our area and as a result of the ban, funerals have been cancelled, weddings and conferences have been cancelled. Nonetheless, like I said, the ban is necessary for our own safety," he stated.
He called on government to reduce taxes and levies as a stimulus package to ensure the sustainability of the hospitality industry in these hard times.
"In my view, the government needs to put in place some sort of intervention to cushion and stimulate us, other than that, we may have to lay off some of our workers or probably be out of business completely. The hotel industry pays close to 22% in taxes so the government can look at it and reduce some components of it.
He urged government to consider a reduction in the Value Added Tax (VAT) component and perhaps bring it to 3%.
According to him, government can also place such facilities on the domestic consumption of electricity other than the industrial.
"We are paying on industrial charges and I pay ten times what the domestic consumers pay but in this critical time, it's necessary government consider this to cushion us," he said.
Mr. Ahadzi appealed to the Ghana Tourism Authority to consider using the 1% GTA Levy to purchase hand sanitizers that would be bought by the hotels at a central point to support the fight against the novel coronavirus.
Latest Stories
-
‘After The Floods:’ Victims suffer harsh conditions 6 months after Akosombo dam disaster
1 min -
Akufo-Addo to unveil Otumfuo commemorative stamp
27 mins -
EduSpots distributes over 100 tablets and laptops to 30 community-led education spaces
43 mins -
Taxation is driving away investors – FABAG General Secretary
1 hour -
Effutu MP commissions office for Hepatitis B; absorbs cost of testing, vaccination and management
1 hour -
Bawumia pushes for land digitisation to tackle land guard menace
1 hour -
Faith-based institutions are instrumental in national development – Bawumia
2 hours -
Upholding the Integrity of Presidential Promises: A call to Ghanaian leaders
2 hours -
I don’t start ‘beefs’; I only reply – Strongman refutes claims
2 hours -
Vice President Bawumia promises reforms to turn Ghana’s fortunes around
2 hours -
REGSEC warns encroachers along Tema-Sakumono Ramsar site as it races to prevent flooding
2 hours -
Kumasi International Airport to be commissioned ahead of time – Transport Ministry
2 hours -
Vomit your loot now or hold onto it and face the consequences – Asiedu Nketiah to Akufo-Addo, NPP
2 hours -
Democracy is going to reverse in West Africa if we don’t tackle economic hardships – Atuguba
3 hours -
Bawumia commissions 124 housing units for victims of Appiatse disaster
3 hours