In a bid to enhance transparency and uphold consumer trust, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) recently convened a meeting with restaurant and catering operators to clarify the distinction between customer service charges and statutory taxes under Ghanaian law.
Deputy CEO of GTA, Ekow Sampson, led the session, stressing the Authority’s commitment to promoting sustainable tourism and ensuring strict compliance with statutory levies such as VAT, National Health Insurance (NHI), GETFund, and the Tourism Levy.
Mr. Sampson explained that while taxes are legal requirements collected by the government, service charges are at the discretion of individual businesses. “Service charges are commercial and discretionary practices of the business itself, not legal levies collected on behalf of the government,” he noted, urging operators not to confuse or conflate these charges with statutory taxes.
He further reminded businesses of their legal obligation to be transparent with customers about all taxes and charges at the point of purchase. Any failure to comply, he warned, could damage Ghana’s tourism image and erode consumer confidence.
The meeting fostered dialogue between the GTA and hospitality operators, encouraging greater compliance with tax laws and transparent communication regarding pricing. The GTA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting a fair, reputable tourism sector, one that balances business interests with the need to strengthen Ghana’s tourism brand on the global stage.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
