Ghanaian musician Kwabena Kwabena recently voiced his concerns about the impact of the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) 21.9% tax on event tickets on the music industry.
During an interview on Daybreak Hitz with DJ Slim, the highlife singer emphasized the significant financial investments required to organize events, stating that such a high tax rate poses a major threat to performers and event organizers.
Kwabena Kwabena expressed his frustration at the prospect of losing 21.9% of ticket sales to taxes, explaining, “You put in so much, you invest so much, and then somebody comes to your door and says that I’m gonna take 21.9% off every ticket you sold.”
He suggested that taxes should be calculated based on profits rather than gross ticket sales to better support the financial sustainability of artists and organizers in the industry.
The musician highlighted the detrimental impact of the current tax system on artists and event organizers, urging for a review to prevent further harm to the industry.
His concerns echo those of other creatives in Ghana, including OB Amponsah, Lekzy DeComic, George Quaye, and Peter Sedufia, who have called on the government to find ways to alleviate the burden of taxes on their work.
Kwabena Kwabena emphasized the need for adjustments that reflect the financial realities faced by artists, particularly as the costs of putting on live shows continue to rise.
