As part of his commitment to revenue mobilization in the country, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday urged members of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to always honor their tax obligations.
The president noted that lawyers have a history of not paying their taxes, which he wants the Association’s leadership to assist change.
“The record of lawyers in paying taxes has been historically poor. It is unfortunate and the most unpleasant fact that the members of the professions in our country have not been known to set a good example when it comes to paying taxes. They appear to think, that being members of the learned professions puts them above compliance with everyday civic duties like paying taxes. It is embarrassing that lawyers are often on top of the list of those who flout our tax laws and use their expertise to avoid paying taxes”.
He was speaking at the 2021 Bar Conference in the Upper East Region, on the theme: Ensuring an increase in revenue mobilization through taxation for the purpose of accelerated national development: The role of the lawyer.
According to the Ghana Revenue Authority, about 60,000 professionals including lawyers, accountants, doctors, engineers, surveyors and architects who are currently working but do not pay taxes.
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President Akufo Addo ceased the opportunity in speaking at the 2021 Bar Conference to encourage all defaulting lawyers and other professionals to pay their taxes as soon as possible before the GRA comes chasing after them.
“They will soon be receiving friendly phone calls from the tax authority. I sincerely hope that those involved will swiftly move to regularize their tax affairs before the GRA moves to crack the whip,” he emphasized.
On his part, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, stated that the vigilance of lawyers that has ensured the protection of human rights and the welfare of the society is the same required to guarantee the economic development of Ghana.
He said that the lawyer’s work is crucial to the building of a sound, peaceful Ghana adding that “the professional and ethical training of lawyers places us in a position to play a fundamental role in the proper functioning of the Ghanaian tax system.”
The lawyer performs functions in the nature of structuring, negotiating, and documenting business entities, and advising clients on the tax implications of companies to be incorporated.
As such, Minister of Justice reiterated the need for lawyers to have sufficient knowledge of tax laws and statutory regulations as well as keep abreast with the amendment of the various tax laws to effectively advice clients.
Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
