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The Ghana Hotels Association (GHA) has expressed deep concern regarding the recent increases in utility tariffs, taxes, and levies, asserting that these measures are severely debilitating the hospitality industry.
In light of the substantial losses the hospitality sector endured due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government’s imposition of significant taxes, especially property rates, has exacerbated its challenges rather than facilitating a faster recovery, according to the Association.
The immediate past Central Regional Chairman of the GHA, Mr Isaac Nkoom, said the property rate regime currently being implemented by the Ghana Revenue Authority had become a “killer to the sector’s rebound.”
“How could a facility that pays a property rate of GH¢700 suddenly rise to GH¢20,000 or from GH¢1,800 to GH¢50,000? We are not against the increase and the collection by GRA, but we are against the astronomical increases killing our businesses,” he said.
“We do not know how they arrived at those sharp increases and, as far as we remain stakeholders, we expected some consultations on operational modalities before implementation.”
“This must certainly change for our mutual gain. The entire arrangement appears we are being punished for owing businesses because the rates do not reflect the reality of our business.”
Mr. Nkoom delivered these remarks during the Fourth National Executive Council Meeting of the GHA, which took place at the Elmina Beach Hotel on Friday. The event was centered around the theme “Sustaining the Hotel Industry in Ghana – Post-COVID-19 Pandemic.”
NKONKONSA.com
