Make VAT Simple To The People -- Agyekum

Kumasi, Aug 4, - Mr Daniel Ohene Agyekum, Ashanti Regional Minister, has called on Information Officers to explain the Value Added Tax (VAT) to the public. He said they have a crucial role to play if the people are to accept the tax. Mr Agyekum was opening a two-day seminar on VAT for Regional and District Information Officers and Cinema Commentators in the Northern Sector of the country at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi today. The Regional Minister observed that lack of understanding was the basic reason that caused the suspension of the tax when it was first introduced. He said since there is no controversy over the principle for VAT, it is important for all stakeholders to discuss ways for its re- introduction in an objective, dispassionate and non-partisan manner. Mr Agyekum noted that Ashanti is one region where a lot of education on the tax has to be carried out. Mr John Mahama, Deputy Minister of Communications, reiterated that after a post-mortem, corrective measures have been put in place to make VAT more acceptable. As part of these measures, national, regional and district public education committees are to be set up while mass public education is carried out through advertisements, jingles and drama.