According to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II, paying taxes by citizens of all countries is one sure way for countries to develop.
His remarks follow the raging controversy and widespread opposition to the government’s 1.75 per cent levy on electronic financial transactions, which was announced in the 2022 budget statement.
He explained that, while no one enjoys paying taxes, there is no other way for governments to raise revenue to meet citizens’ needs.
The Asantehene stated at the launch of the Otumfuo Osei Tutu II Commemorative Gold Coin on Sunday, December 12, 2021, that there is no country in the world where citizens do not pay taxes, and that good citizens pay taxes.
“We have been fortunate in our political journey to have moved on from a period of one political party dominating everything. Today, at least the two main political parties have all been in government.”
“If we are honest, we will agree that there is no perfect government and there will never be as long as we have different points of view.”
“And if we are honest, we will also agree that there are no people in this world that love paying taxes, and yet there is no other way conceived by the human mind by which government can raise the resources to meet our needs other than by raising taxes.”
“I do not know of any form of taxes that is less painful than others. So at last, government, by all means, would have to raise taxes to meet our needs and if we are good citizens, we will pay our taxes.”
