IT is refreshing to note that the government is on course to exceed the targeted revenue of GH¢3,543.42 million in spite of the global economic crisis.
According to the Executive Secretary of the Revenue Agencies Governing Board (RAGB), Mr Harry Owusu, the positive indicators followed the collection of GH¢2,660.28 million as of the end of September, this year.
The revelation paints a positive outlook of the national economy during a period when all major players on the global stage are on their knees because of the present global economic crisis.
Trading on stock markets in all the economic capitals has slowed down while central banks of the major economies have reduced interest rates in an attempt to stop the global economy from moving into recession.
Even with all these efforts being put in place by the major economies, nothing seems to be working as the economic crisis has created hardships across the globe.
Food prices in the United States of America and other Western countries have shot up through the roof.
Before the crisis basic needs such as food items were within the reach of all ordinary people.
Many people who took advantage of mortgages have had to lose their houses because their incomes cannot maintain the facilities.
And notable industries are reducing their labour force for the same reason. Therefore, if Ghana has so far weathered the economic meltdown, then we need to pat the managers of our economy on the back.
It is against this background that the DAILY GRAPHIC commends all income earners, particularly companies that have lived up to their civic responsibilities by paying their taxes regularly to the state.
To the 10 companies, including the Graphic Communications Group Limited, and Mr Samuel Amoafo Denkyi, who received platinum awards at the Second Taxpayers Awards ceremony in Accra on Thursday, we say “Well done and keep it up” so that the state can have the wherewithal to carry on with its development agenda.
Furthermore, it is our expectation that the awards ceremony would stimulate compliance with our tax laws by business organisations.
Perhaps it is needless to remind them of their obligations but we do so because in some cases, they evade taxes while the working class whose taxes are deducted at source bear the tax burden.
All Ghanaians must understand that the only way we can develop our country is by contributing our quota to national revenue.
Indeed, it is demeaning for a sovereign state to always go globe-trotting with bowl in hand begging to be assisted to balance its budget.
While we demonstrate to the whole world that we can manage our economy well, we must salute our farmers for their hard work which has helped to keep prices of foodstuffs such as tubers, cereals and vegetables at reasonable levels and within the reach of majority of our people.
In this regard, the DAILY GRAPHIC shares the admonition of the Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Prof. Gyan Baffour, that “we cannot always go to other countries with a bowl in our hand begging for what we can certainly provide for ourselves.”
It is the considered opinion of the DAILY GRAPHIC that in order to sustain the enthusiasm of the farmers to till the land, we as a nation should provide our farmers with the ready market for their produce.
We believe that the government has a bigger responsibility to support the farmers with credit and market as a reward for their sweat and toil.
Our experiences during this harsh economic crisis demonstrate clearly that we can keep our heads above water, if we produce more to feed ourselves, and this is why we must all accept the challenge to promote the campaign to “eat what we grow and grow what we eat”.
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