Swiss Ambassador Says Ghana Is Right On VAT

Accra (Greater Accra) 28 April, '98 The Ambassador of Switzerland, Dr. Peter A. Schweizer has said, Ghana is on the right way of introducing the Value Added Tax but warned that there are "turbulent years ahead". Speaking at a lecture organised by the Ridge Church Men's Fellowship in Accra. Dr Schweizer said the second attempt at introducing the VAT in Ghana demands a lot of work on public education. "I think the 10 per cent rate is a good idea and reasonable rate, because it will be easier for the people to manage", the Ambassador who spoke on his country's experience in adopting the VAT said. He said the coming down of the tax rate may be an incentive, but for making the inevitable administrative complications acceptable, the VAT should be well explained beforehand. Drawing on Switzerland's experience where that tax took a difficult course, after it had been thrice rejected by a referendum before it was accepted in 1994, Dr Schweizer said the initial years of implementing the tax will be turbulent. gri