PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Effective April 1, 2018, banks, the Passport Office, the DVLA, the Registrar General’s Department, among other offices will not transact business with any individual who does not have a Tax Identification Number (TIN). This is because the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) will be enforcing the implementation of the policy from April to allow taxpayers comply with the directive. According to the GRA, ample time has been given to allow individuals acquire a TIN. The TIN is a unique Identification Number issued to taxpayers for official transactions. The GRA is using it as a tool to broaden the country’s tax net which is the number of persons who are entitled to pay tax.



“So the Commissioner General of Ghana Revenue Authority, is sending out a message that all tax payers and potential tax payers who don’t have their Tax Identification Numbers should get to the nearest GRA office and have them generated”.

“It has become very necessary in accordance with the provision of the Revenue Administration Act which requires all persons who do business in this country, tax payers and potential tax payers should have their TINs to be able to conduct official business in this country,” he stressed.

Issuance of TIN
All persons liable to pay tax, or from whom taxes are withheld at source by employers or agents through payroll deductions and /or other business transactions under any enactment are required to register.

Application for Issue of TIN
Every person liable to pay tax or required to withhold tax at source under any enactment shall apply in a form prescribed by the designated Public Office.

Specified transactions that require TIN

A person shall not be permitted to undertake the under listed activities without use of a TIN

(a) to clear any goods in commercial quantities from any port or factory
(b) to register any title to land, interest in land or any document affecting land
(c) to obtain any Tax Clearance Certificate from the internal Revenue Service, Customs Excise and Preventive Service or the Value Added Tax Service.
(d) to obtain a Certificate to commence business or a business permit issued by the Registrar-General or a District Assembly
(e) to receive payment from the Controller and Accountant General or a District Assembly in respect of a contract for the supply of any goods or provision of any services.


The Commissioner General of Ghana Revenue Authority said it is illegal to acquire two TIN numbers and persons who do so will be dealt with according to the law.

“It is an offense for a person to be able to generate more than a TIN because the law says that every person should have one TIN, there is a specific section under the law says that you are providing the Commissioner General with false and misleading information if you have two TIN numbers”.

 Photo Credit: GHANA REVENUE AUTHORITY (GRA) 

Plastic Usage Ban in France

Well if you don't know, then this is it!

France has also become the first country to ban the usage of plastic plates and cutlery.

France has started to take measures to slowly get rid of those plastic cups, plates, spoons, forks, knives and food containers, with the exceptions to this rule being, biodegradable or compost-material plastic.

As part of the new Energy Transition for Green Growth Act, a new law which also made the usage of plastic bags illegal in department and grocery markets very recently. Although, some countries such as the US, already outlawed plastic bags, France’s new no-plastic rule seems to be gaining momentum.

Those behind making this law a reality say that this is a follow-up on last year’s conference held in Paris regarding curbing global warming and enabling a recycled economy, from product design to waste disposal to recycling and repeat.

Besides the obvious knowledge about plastic and the environment, which is that plastic is not biodegradable, hence turning into smaller particles which then threaten wildlife, especially in oceans, as animals do not know that plastic cannot be consumed. More often than not, it has harmed and even killed these poor creatures.

Moreover, gallons of oil are being used every year to produce these plastic utensils, bags and the like, which environmental specialists have warned is a major player in climate change.

French President, François Hollande said that the plastic ban is a piece in a much larger puzzle, which is to make France a global role-model by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, allowing for the usage of new energy models with renewable energy substitutes.

The first step to the plastic ban would be the usage and distribution of plastic cutlery in fast-food places including beverage cups from vending machines. However, there are some that still frown upon this movement, such as Brussels, that sees this new law as something that is going against the European Union legislation on free movement of goods and defending the rights of manufacturers.

Beyond the brainchild behind escargot, making their trademark with navy and white striped tops and berets, or even being bold about women not having to shave, France has become the first country to ban the usage of plastic plates and cutlery.

Yes, France has started to take measures to slowly get rid of those plastic cups, plates, spoons, forks, knives and food containers, with the exceptions to this rule being, biodegradable or compost-material plastic.

As part of the new Energy Transition for Green Growth Act, a new law which also made the usage of plastic bags illegal in department and grocery markets very recently. Although, some countries such as the US, already outlawed plastic bags, France’s new no-plastic rule seems to be gaining momentum.

Those behind making this law a reality say that this is a follow-up on last year’s conference held in Paris regarding curbing global warming and enabling a recycled economy, from product design to waste disposal to recycling and repeat.

Besides the obvious knowledge about plastic and the environment, which is that plastic is not biodegradable, hence turning into smaller particles which then threaten wildlife, especially in oceans, as animals do not know that plastic cannot be consumed. More often than not, it has harmed and even killed these poor creatures.

Moreover, gallons of oil are being used every year to produce these plastic utensils, bags and the like, which environmental specialists have warned is a major player in climate change.

French President, François Hollande said that the plastic ban is a piece in a much larger puzzle, which is to make France a global role-model by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, allowing for the usage of new energy models with renewable energy substitutes.

The first step to the plastic ban would be the usage and distribution of plastic cutlery in fast-food places including beverage cups from vending machines.

However, there are some that still frown upon this movement, such as Brussels, that sees this new law as something that is going against the European Union legislation on free movement of goods and defending the rights of manufacturers.

One such example is Eamonn Bates, the secretary general of Pack2Go Europe, which is a company based in Brussels. He said he will challenge France’s no-plastic law based on infringement of the European Commission laws and will be representing those in favor of using plastic utensils in Europe.

On the flip side, those in favor of the law want an earlier introduction to France, maybe even by 2017. However, the French Environment Minister, Ségolène Royal, said this would not do because, it will be at the cost of those in the low-income bracket of the society, who depend on plastic utensil usage.

Therefore, the ban will be in effect as of 2020.

Considering the rate at which Earth is deteriorating, it is a wonder if anything can be salvaged with France’s movement alone, or if this law will prove to be redundant by 2020, if the environment has reached its threshold and become irreparable, by then.

Story Credit : CureJoy App