STOP PAYING FEES TO KMA IMMEDIATELY-GUTA DIRECTS STORE OPERATORS

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The Ghana Union Traders Association, GUTA, has asked all its members operating stores and wholesale in the Kumasi metropolis to, with immediate effect, stop the payment of operating Licenses and Fees to the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, KMA until further notice. 

GUTA has indicated also to embark on street protests should the city authorities use any compelling means to take the Fees from the store and warehouse operators in question. 

Speaking to Ashanti Today in Kumasi, Ashanti Regional Public Relations Officer of GUTA, Albert Mensah Offei, described as unacceptable the margin of increase in the fees unilaterary fixed by the KMA for the year. 

According to Mr. Offei, GUTA, which has a membership running into thousands and making substantial contribution to the revenue base of the KMA, is shocked that the annual Stores Operating Fees has been raised from 200 Ghana Cedis to one thousand 500 Ghana Cedis while that for Wholesale which used to be 400 Ghana Cedis has been increased to two thousand Ghana Cedis. 

He noted that, as key interest group in the fee fixing and revenue mobilization of the KMA, it is wrong for the Assembly to determine new fees and tolls without consulting GUTA. 

Mr. Offei said despite several efforts overtures by the Association, including petitions to the Metropolitan Chief Executive and the Chairman of the Regional Security Council for an amicable resolution to the impasse, the Assembly and its officials have refused to engage GUTA on the issue. 

The GUTA Regional PRO indicated also that, apart from the astronomic increases in the yearly operating Fees and Licenses, different agents purporting to be revenue collectors of the KMA have been taking monies from the store and warehouse operators at the displeasure of the businessmen and women.

 Mr. Offei called on the KMA to, as a matter of urgency, organize an interactive forum involving GUTA to discuss the most appropriate Fees and Licenses payable by the store and warehouse operators to calm tempers for businesses to continue to thrive and engender mutual trust and respect among the two parties. After resolving this problem, we are ready to help them to collect the Fees', the PRO assured.



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