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The Food and Beverages Association of Ghana (FABAG) has cautioned the government against introducing new taxes in the 2026 Budget, warning that the sector is already struggling under multiple tax burdens and rising operational costs. In a statement issued ahead of the budget presentation, the Association said the industry continues to grapple with high import duties, unstable exchange rates, inflationary pressures, and excessive taxation, all of which are threatening jobs and undermining Ghana’s attractiveness to investors. FABAG urged the Minister of Finance to prioritize tax reliefs and consider scrapping what it described as “nuisance taxes,” including the COVID-19 levy, excise duties, the Environmental Excise Tax, and container fumigation fees. “These cumulative taxes have increased the cost of doing business, reduced competitiveness, and encouraged the smuggling of cheaper goods into the country,” the statement said. The Association stressed that the business community cannot absorb any additional levies, adding that it expects “a firm assurance from government that no new taxes will be introduced in 2026.” Instead, FABAG called for improved revenue collection efficiency, a broader tax base, and greater support for local manufacturing. It also urged government to implement policies aimed at stabilizing the exchange rate and controlling inflation. Additionally, FABAG appealed for the streamlining of overlapping functions among regulatory agencies such as the GRA, FDA, and GSA to cut bureaucracy and reduce the cost of doing business. Reaffirming its commitment to working with government toward economic growth, the Association said a business-friendly 2026 Budget would “stimulate investment, enhance revenue generation, and improve the welfare of Ghanaians.”
