The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has called on the government to use the 2027 Budget to lower the cost of doing business and create favourable conditions for private sector growth, stressing the need for businesses to expand and generate jobs to address unemployment.
The association has also urged the government not to introduce new taxes in the upcoming budget, arguing that the existing tax burden, high import duties and operational expenses are placing significant pressure on businesses.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, November 11, GUTA Vice President Joseph Paddy said although the economy had enjoyed sustained stability in 2026, the government must now prioritise private sector-led growth.
“Between stability and sustainability, the next level we’re looking forward to is growth. So what systems is the government going to put in place to bring growth? When I talk of growth, I’m looking at the private sector growth,” he said.
Mr Paddy maintained that the private sector should lead job creation, rather than the government, arguing that businesses could recruit more workers if the right conditions were provided to support their expansion.
“We want to hear what the government is going to do to create that enabling environment for the private sector to grow. Then when we grow, we can create the needed employment,” he said.
He called for improved access to affordable credit, reduced utility and transportation costs, and a review of import duties, which he said could account for about 55 per cent of the capital value of imported goods.
Mr Paddy also welcomed the relative stability of the cedi and the reduction in interest rates, describing them as encouraging developments for the business community.
He said the stronger cedi had reduced the amount traders needed to spend on foreign currency to finance imports, allowing them to free up funds for reinvestment in their businesses.
However, he urged the government to sustain the gains by introducing policies and initiatives that would improve business competitiveness and create opportunities for expansion.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is expected to present the 2027 Budget to Parliament on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
