💢 Ride Fo’ Strike: Ghana’s Wheel Warriors Ready for Roll Out Over Tax Beef 🚗
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Eh, da kine drivers who stay making living by driving for Bolt, Uber, Yango, and all kine ride-hail companies in Ghana stay getting hot unda da collar. Why, you ask? Cuz da big bosses at da Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) wen drop one new kine Vehicle Income Tax (VIT) on top their heads, starting from da first day of 2024. And guess wat? Da drivers, dey neva even get one say.
Da Ghana Online Drivers Union (GODU), representing all dese hardworking wheelmen and women, stay saying “A’ole!” (No way!) to da GRA’s plan. Dey neva even had one chance for talk story about how dis new tax goin’ affect dem before da rule was set. Now, dey all up in arms cuz dey no sure if dey supposed to be treated like regular commercial vehicle owners under dis VIT ting. 🚙📜
GODU wen make it official, putting out one statement calling for da GRA for come sit down and talk story, work things out together like. Dey like make sure whatever tax system dey end up with is pono (right and fair) for everybody in da ride-hailing ‘ohana. But, and dis one big “but,” if da GRA no like listen, den GODU is ready for throw down da gauntlet and start one nationwide strike. Dat means no more rides from here to dere, leaving plenty people gotta find anoddah way for get around. 🛑✊
And das not all, braddahs and sistahs. If push come to shove, GODU might even have for slap one extra charge on top da riders for cover da cost of dis new tax. So, no just da drivers going feel da pinch, but da passengers too might have for dig deeper in their pockets. 💰🔼
So, da question stay: Will da GRA and da drivers find one way for hui (meet) in da middle, or are we looking at one major shutdown of ride-hailing services all across Ghana? Only time goin’ tell, but for now, da drivers stay ready for stand up for what dey believe is right. Stay tuned, cuz dis story no pau (finished) yet. 🕒🔍
NOW IN ENGLISH
💢 Drivers Gear Up for Nationwide Strike Over New Tax in Ghana 🚗
In Ghana, the drivers behind the wheels of Bolt, Uber, Yango, and other ride-hailing services are on the brink of a nationwide strike. The bone of contention? The introduction of a Vehicle Income Tax (VIT) by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), set to come into effect on January 1, 2024. The twist in the tale is that the drivers, the very individuals directly impacted by this new tax, claim they were left out of the conversation entirely.
The Ghana Online Drivers Union (GODU), the voice of these drivers, has made its stance crystal clear. They’re not just disappointed with the GRA’s announcement of the tax; they’re frustrated by the lack of prior consultation. The drivers are in a quandary, uncertain if they fall under the same category as commercial vehicle owners who are subject to the VIT. 🚙📜
GODU has publicly called on the GRA to pause the VIT’s rollout and to instead engage in dialogue with the union. Their goal? To collaboratively forge a tax framework that’s equitable and sustainable for the ride-hailing ecosystem. However, GODU also warns of stark actions. Should their calls for dialogue fall on deaf ears, they’re prepared to initiate a strike that could see ride-hailing services grind to a halt across Ghana. 🛑✊
But that’s not where the story ends. Should the strike go ahead, GODU suggests the possibility of introducing an operational cost and logical charge to counterbalance the financial burden of the new tax. This move could mean passengers will have to shoulder part of the cost, making rides more expensive for the everyday user. 💰🔼
The looming question now is whether the GRA will open the floor to negotiations, or if Ghana is on the verge of witnessing a major disruption in its ride-hailing sector. As the situation unfolds, both drivers and passengers are holding their breath, hoping for a resolution that doesn’t leave anyone stranded. Stay tuned, as this developing story is far from over. 🕒🔍
