President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) Dr Joseph Obeng, has been awarded the 'Most Proactive Union President' at the 2021 West Africa Heroes Award.

Speaking to JoyBusiness upon receipt of the award, Dr Obeng urged government to prioritise the interests of traders to ensure a viable business environment.

He said government will take in more revenue from the trading community if it creates a favourable environment for traders to thrive.

“Putting the interests of traders first is advocacy I continue to push while I am president of GUTA. Government stands to reap more benefits in taxes especially if it places some more interest in the trading community,” he told Joy FM.

Dr Obeng is a Council Member of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce.

Presently, he is the Co-Ordinator for the Joint Private Sector Business Consultative Forum and has been very instrumental in formulating trade policies in the Country.

Being one of the signatories to the blueprint that led to the introduction of the VAT Flat Rate Scheme, Dr Obeng was on the High-Powered Governmental Delegation that went on a fact-finding mission to Kenya and Tanzania, all in East Africa during the intended implementation of G-CAP and ASHI.

He has also served on so many government committees: the Finance Ministries Foreign Exchange Development Committee, the Ministerial Advisory Board of the Ministry of Trade & Industry, Committee on Foreign Retail Trade, and others.