Media Statement

27 January 2023

MTN tax liability dispute with Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, was this week briefed on the tax liability dispute between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and MTN.

Following the briefing, the Minister encouraged MTN to work closely with the authorities in Ghana to devise a solution.

The South African Government is committed to promoting increased South African investment in Ghana in particular and the continent in general.

South Africa is one of the largest foreign direct investors in Ghana, mainly in mining, communication, beverages, retail and franchising, etc. These investments contribute to the Ghanaian gross domestic product (GDP) and job creation. According to the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC), there are over 100 South African Companies registered and operating in Ghana, employing over 19,087 Ghanaians and 510 expatriates. Over the past ten (10) years, South African companies have undertaken over 170 projects in Ghana valued in excess of $1,431,523,166 US dollars in capital investment.

The Minister has previously held meetings with Chief Executive Officers of South African companies invested and operating on the African continent. They have reported an increasing number of difficulties ranging from: unfavourable market conditions and inconsistent regulatory frameworks, inconsistent tax regimes, repatriation of funds and delays in loan repayments. Of major concern is that competitors of South African companies from other parts of the world do not appear to be subjected to the challenges that South African companies are subjected to.

These unfavourable conditions have led to disinvestment in some African markets by major South African companies such as: Shoprite, Game, Mr Price, Foschini, Woolworths, Tiger Brands, Sasol- Chemicals, Sasol-Gas, Group Five, Murray and Roberts, Metrolife Group, Telkom, Southern Sun, Protea Group, to name but a few.

The disinvestment has had a devastating impact on employment opportunities, poverty and inequalities in particular and GDP growth in general.

The Minister calls on the parties involved to do everything possible to find an amicable solution to these reported challenges.

Our common destiny as outlined in the Agenda 2063 aspirations, depend on a win-win intra-African collaboration and cooperation.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building

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