The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) has openly criticised the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, for neglecting to ensure inclusive stakeholder engagement ahead of the upcoming mid-year budget review set for Thursday. 

The Executive Secretary of the Association, Samson Asaki Awingobit, in an interview with class news, expressed deep concern over the lack of transparency in the government's consultation process. 

He  pointed to a recent meeting convened by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to deliberate on proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) reforms, alleging that several key trading bodies including his were excluded from the discussions. 

According to him, the finance minister had previously committed, during the presentation of the main budget, to consult broadly with stakeholders before implementing any new tax measures, particularly the contentious VAT reforms. 

Samson Asaki Awingobit urged the government to honor its commitments and ensure that all relevant stakeholders, especially those directly impacted by tax policies, are adequately represented in such critical consultations. 

He added that since there had not been any engagement or consultation with the Finance Minister ahead of the mid-year budget on Thursday, they are not expecting anything new from the government, given that their concerns were never solicited or heard. 

Awingobit emphasised that the association will continue to advocate for open dialogue and transparent policy-making processes, stressing that sustainable economic development hinges on the government's willingness to listen to the voices of its economic partners.