Special topics
Studies have shown that, there are currently about 11 different taxes on petroleum products. On average, a litre of petrol is sold at GH¢4.49, half of which is actually taxes that goes to government. However, the difficulty over the years has been citizen’s understanding of these taxes and ensuring accountability. In ensuring accountability, Penplusbytes with funding from the Ghana Oil and Gas for Inclusive Growth (GOGIG) will on Thursday, December 14, hold its 2nd Power reporting series on Tax Treatment at the New Media Hub in Accra, at 8:30am.
On the theme “Understanding Tax Treatments in Ghana’s Oil and Gas Sector”, the forum will discuss with experts from tax collection institutions, how effective Ghana mobilizes and manages petroleum revenue from the oil and gas sector including surface rent.
Engaging the media, stakeholders, and alumni, the 2nd Power Reporting Series also aims at harnessing the participants’ understanding of key mandates of the mother tax institution, Ghana Revenue Authority, in activities pertaining to the collection of petroleum revenues in the upstream oil and gas sector.
It will among other achievements facilitate the understanding of the differences between non-tax revenue and tax revenue collection, tax revenue chain, Ghana’s oil and gas tax regime appraisal thereby creating multiple sources for in-depth news reporting as well as investigative stories.
Experts like Samuel Sackey, the head of Petroleum Unit at Ghana Revenue Authority, Nasir Alfa Mohammed of Ali Nakyea & Associate, Ghana will lead discussions on techniques relating to Tax treatment. Jessica Acheampong of Graphic Business, sharing her views on the 2nd Power reporting series said “Reporting on tax issues in the extractive sector requires journalists to be well informed. I believe this session would enhance my understanding to report effectively.” Other journalists from Business and Financial Times, Finder Newspaper, GBC radio, GNA, GHOne, Goldstreet Business among others will be participating.
The Power reporting series forms part of Penplusbytes “Enhancing the Role of the Media in Promoting Oil and Gas Sector Transparency and Accountability project” which is been funded by Ghana Oil and Gas for Inclusive Growth (GOGIG).
About Penplusbytes
Penplusbytes is a not-for-profit organization driving change through innovations in three key areas: using new digital technologies to enable good governance and accountability, new media and innovations, and driving oversight for effective utilization of mining, oil and gas revenue and resources