Most business districts in Accra today February 29, 2016 grinded to a halt after business operators begun a three day strike against tax hikes in the country.
The business operators – the Joint Private Business Consultative Forum, comprising Members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Food and Beverage Importers Association of Ghana, Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders, Customs Brokers Association of Ghana among others earlier told Citi Business News their strike is as a result of government’s failure to engage them over the introduction of new and increase in existing taxes.
According to them, they will not call of the strike until government responds to their request.
Citi Business News’ Jessica Ayorkor Aryee who visited some of the business districts reported that at the opera square for example, majority of the shops were not opened.
‘Most shops are closed and buyers are struggling to buy from street hawkers. Banks are empty and one of the biggest retail shops in Accra, Melcom is also closed down. I came across an open ATL distributers shop but according to them, they only came to deliver some products to a customer’, she said.
National Executive Member of GUTA, Mr Yeboah told Citi Business News he is excited about the compliance of the traders to close all shops for three days. He was optimistic government will heed to their demand.
‘‘The compliance level is high. Close to about 90% complied with the strike action. I’m rather sad we had to get to this stage. Seriously i wish and hope that come Wednesday we will sit and talk and see how best we can go from there’’ he added.
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By: Jessica Ayorkor Aryee/citifmonline.com/Ghana
