A lecturer and tax consultant at the Bolgatanga Technical University, Awineyesema Abiire, has penned a strongly worded open letter to the Minister for Finance, calling for a reconsideration of Ghana’s current tax regime, which he describes as burdensome and exploitative toward ordinary citizens.
In the letter titled “An Open Letter to the Minister for Finance,” Abiire extended greetings from the people of Zorko-Gamboringo Electoral Area where he serves as the Assemblyman and commended the minister and his team for their “ability and agility” in stabilising the economy since assuming office.
He recalled that his earlier praise of the 2025 Budget Statement which he said proved that “Mahama’s government does not only have the men but men with brains” had attracted social media backlash but has since been vindicated by the positive economic outcomes witnessed across the country.
However, Abiire expressed deep concern over what he called the government’s overreliance on taxation for revenue mobilisation, arguing that the true purpose of taxation extends far beyond raising funds.
“Revenue mobilisation should be seen as the least of rationales behind the imposition of tax,” he wrote, stressing that taxation should instead promote savings, investment, and wealth creation while protecting citizens from economic hardship.
Citing Matthew 17:24–26, he underscored that citizens should be empowered to create sustainable livelihoods rather than being exploited “in the name of financing government business,” particularly when “successive governments appear to be insensitive and have an unbridled appetite for sleaze.”
The lecturer questioned the government’s continued reliance on the Income Tax (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 2023 (Act 1111), which, in his view, contradicts the administration’s “Reset Agenda.”
He urged the Finance Minister to restore the earlier tax structure that capped the highest income tax bracket at 25 percent — a move he said encouraged savings and investments.
“It is in correcting the wrongful state gains that the Reset Agenda of protecting the most important 2Ps — People and Planet — could be completed,” Abiire stated.
Touching on sustainable revenue generation, he proposed that Ghana shift from a royalty regime to a production-sharing model in the extractive sector, add value to raw materials, and tighten controls against illicit financial flows and tax avoidance schemes.
Abiire concluded his letter with an appeal for a more humane and development-oriented taxation system that prioritises citizens’ welfare:
“May your tenure continue to inspire hope, progress, and a fresh breath of nationalism in our political space.”