Founder of the New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako, also known as Cheddar has reacted to allegations of tax evasion made by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) against him.
The GRA accused Mr Bediako of failing to file personal income tax returns from 2013 to 2016, resulting in a fine of GH¢50,000.
In a publication dated January 18, it was reported that despite settling a sum of GH¢209,171 between 2018 and 2020, Bediako had once again neglected to file his returns for the post-2020 period. The GRA further estimated tax assessments for Bediako at GH¢2,088,228 and GH¢5,096,536 for the years 2021-2022, respectively, along with penalties for his failure to file his personal income tax returns.
Mr Bediako has vehemently denied these accusations, suggesting that the GRA aimed to disgrace him and tarnish his reputation. He expressed the belief that he was being targeted despite being one of the few individuals consistently fulfilling his tax obligations.
In response to the tax evasion claims, Nana Kwame Bediako took to social media on January 18, 2024, to defend himself and address the situation.
He argued that if the GRA had concerns about his tax payments, they could have opted for a more diplomatic approach, such as scheduling a meeting with him, rather than resorting to the publicized method they employed.
Expressing bewilderment at the situation, Cheddar questioned the motives behind the Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) decision to publish his pictures in connection with the tax evasion allegations.
“If we consider the state of the economy and the hardship we face as citizens, it appears the government was doing nothing to alleviate our difficulties.
“The government intends to disgrace me, so it published my pictures in the papers. No, you cannot disgrace a man whom God has graced,” he said.
Speaking in local parlance he added “ I woke up this morning, only to see my pictures on the front cover of multiple publications alleging that I have evaded taxes. I have dedicated almost 22 or 23 years in this country. When it comes to taxes, I have consistently fulfilled my obligations and continue to do so.”
He emphasized that, given his regular importation of goods into the country, it would have been impossible for him to evade taxes without detection up to the present date. He highlighted that despite his consistently high income, he has always made sure to promptly fulfill his tax obligations.