The Ashanti Regional chapter of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has voiced frustration over the heavy taxes impacting their businesses, declaring their support for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming elections.

During a meeting with NDC Vice-Presidential Candidate Prof. Jane Opoku-Agyemang, GUTA members shared their grievances alongside representatives from the Ashanti Region business community.

GUTA’s Ashanti Regional Vice Chairman, Nana Kwame Amoanyame, expressed the toll that the current tax structure has on businesses, stating, “As a business community, we are suffering; these taxes are crippling our operations.”

He appealed to the NDC for relief, urging, “Please kindly do something about it for us in your next government.”

Mr Amoanyame further requested that an NDC-led government take measures to curb foreign involvement—particularly from Nigerian nationals—in Ghana’s retail sector, which is traditionally reserved for Ghanaians.

He expressed concern that the influx of foreign retailers was edging out local traders.

Additionally, he appealed for support in the form of soft loans to bolster local business activities.

The calls from Ashanti Region GUTA echo recent complaints from GUTA’s national membership regarding high fees imposed by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

This growing discontent has led many in the region’s business community to throw their support behind the NDC, vowing to vote for the party on December 7.

In response, Alex Segbefia, campaign manager for Prof Opoku-Agyemang, assured traders of the NDC’s commitment to meaningful tax reform.

He warned that the current tax structure could undermine economic progress if left unaddressed.

Mr Segbefia pledged that, within the first 90 days of assuming office, an NDC government would abolish “nuisance taxes,” including the E-levy, COVID-19 levy, the 10% betting tax, and the Emission levy.