Government defends new beer exercise rates; sliding scale has not been abolished
The government has dismissed claims by Acra Brewery Limited that amendments to Ghana’s beer excise duty sliding scale could unintentionally undermine local production, discourage future investment and put thousands of jobs across the beer value chain at risk. In a detailed rejoinder, it said, the sliding scale has not been abolished; but it has rather been retained in its three-band […]
The government has refuted claims from Acra Brewery Limited that recent amendments to Ghana's beer excise duty sliding scale could negatively impact local production, future investment, and thousands of jobs. The sliding scale remains in place, retaining a preferential margin for producers in the highest band. The review was initiated due to evidence suggesting the concession is being claimed at a scale unsupported by local agricultural production.
The government also disputed the competitiveness argument, stating it is not upheld when statutory bases for import and locally produced goods are properly applied. Acra Brewery Limited has expressed concerns about potential budget impacts and an imbalance between imported and locally manufactured beer companies. However, the government maintains the proposed structure does not create a significant disparity and disputes the employment figures and financial estimates provided by Acra Brewery Limited as unsubstantiated and unverifiable.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
