The Abossey Okai Spare Parts Dealers Association has suspended its sit-down strike against the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) Compliance and Manual-Policing Exercise, which it describes as intimidating.

The traders also registered their displeasure at the implementation of the GRA’s Compliance and Manual-Policing Exercise without engaging the association.  

Speaking at a press conference, the Head of Communications, Takyi Addo, said the suspension of the sit down strike is due to the withdrawal of the GRA and Customs personnel from their shops.

“We have suspended our sit-down strike based on the engagement with the GRA Commissioner and the Customs Commissioner because they’re going to withdraw their men from our shops, but if they go contrary, we’ll come back to the streets”, he warned.

The association clarified that it does not oppose the Electronic VAT policy, but called for a consultation with stakeholders.

“We are not against paying taxes. We are citizens of Ghana and want to pay taxes. But we want to be consulted and not harassed because we are traders”.

Mr. Addo maintained that the traders would resume the strike should the GRA personnel return to their shops.

He added that engagements and consultations will grow trust between the tax payer and the tax collector.

Background

The GRA designed and implemented a value-added tax policy as part of its innovative way of generating revenue for the state.

In implementing the policy, the GRA employed staff and customs officers to police, monitor and collect revenue from the shops of the dealers at Abossey Okai.

According to the Abossey Okai traders, the decision was taken on the blind side of their leadership, describing the action as a total lack of respect.