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🇬🇭 Ghana /Elections & Politics

President to pay taxes on salary, allowances but retirement benefits exempt – Government

From Daily Graphic · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The government has accepted a recommendation for the President to pay taxes on salary and allowances while in office.
  • However, the proposal to tax the President's retirement gratuity and pension was rejected.
  • Details of the President's tax liability will be determined by tax laws.

The government has agreed to a key recommendation from the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC), mandating that the President will now be required to pay taxes on their salary and allowances during their term in office. This decision signifies a move towards greater accountability and the removal of tax exemptions solely based on the presidential position.

Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, announced the government's stance on Thursday, July 30. He stated, "The Government has accepted the principle that the President should not enjoy tax exemptions by virtue of office alone. The President will pay tax on salary and allowances, as well as the applicable indirect taxes on goods and services."

The Government has accepted the principle that the President should not enjoy tax exemptions by virtue of office alone. The President will pay tax on salary and allowances, as well as the applicable indirect taxes on goods and services.

— Dr Dominic AyineAttorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, announced the decision on Thursday, July 30, as part of the government's response to the Constitutional Review Committee's recommendations. "The Government has accepted the principle that the President should not enjoy tax exemptions by virtue of office alone. The President will pay tax on salary and allowances, as well as the applicable indirect taxes on goods and services," Dr Ayine said.

Despite accepting the taxation of current earnings, the government has rejected the CRC's proposal to extend taxation to the President's retirement gratuity and pension. "The Government has not, however, accepted the proposal to tax the President's retirement gratuity and pension," Dr. Ayine confirmed. He further clarified that the specific details regarding the President's tax obligations will be elaborated within the relevant tax legislation.

This announcement is part of the government's broader response to the CRC's recommendations, which are intended to inform proposed constitutional and legislative reforms aimed at strengthening governance and accountability across the nation. The nationwide constitutional review process has laid the groundwork for these potential changes.

The Government has not, however, accepted the proposal to tax the President's retirement gratuity and pension, and the details of the President's tax liability will be worked out in the tax laws, where such details belong.

— Dr Dominic AyineHowever, the government did not accept the proposal to tax the President's retirement gratuity and pension. "The Government has not, however, accepted the proposal to tax the President's retirement gratuity and pension, and the details of the President's tax liability will be worked out in the tax laws, where such details belong," he added.
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Originally published by Daily Graphic. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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