Award-winning Gospel musician, Diana Hamilton, has voiced her discontent with the taxation system governing events organized in Ghana.
During an appearance on the United Showbiz on Saturday, February 10, 2024, Hamilton highlighted her observations regarding the stark contrast between the tax regulations for event organizers in Ghana compared to those in the United Kingdom, where she has also hosted events.
Hamilton expressed her belief that there is a significant disparity in how the two countries approach taxing event organizers, indicating her dissatisfaction with the current system in Ghana.
Diana Hamilton highlighted the favorable tax system in the UK, where she is only taxed on her profits from events. She emphasized the flexibility of this system, noting that if she were to operate at a loss, no taxes would be levied. However, she lamented the disparity in Ghana, where the taxation process is less conducive.
Hamilton criticized the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), stating that officials often fail to accurately apply taxes. She expressed frustration with the inefficiencies within the tax system in Ghana, indicating a need for improvement and proper enforcement by GRA officials.
“I have the privilege of hosting events in the UK and Ghana. If I hold an event in the UK, all the monies accrued will go into my account. I make all my withdrawals, and at the end of the year, I get taxed on my profits. And if I make a loss, I do not get taxed.
“But in Ghana, when I am hosting an event, the GRA officials won’t check anything; all they do is stand at the entrance and count the number of people entering the hall and they tax you. With or without complimentary tickets, as long as anyone enters the hall, they will count everyone and tax you on that without taking into consideration the venue, cost of production, and all that,” she told show host MzGee.