Bar operators call for one stop licensing body

The Ghana Bar Operators Association has called for a one stop shop in the issuing of license for drinking bar operators to reduce the stress that members go through to get license to operate.

To operate a drinking bar, one has to obtain various permits from the District Assemblies including authorization from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Ghana Tourist Board (GTB) the Fire Service and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Speaking at an advocacy workshop between members of the Association and the stakeholders in Koforidua on Friday, the General Secretary of the Association, Mr Stephen K. Mensah, said those developments did not encourage people to go through all the process to obtain the necessary certification to operate their businesses.

The workshop formed part of an advocacy project of the Association on the enforcement of compliance with the various regulations with regards to the laws on the establishment of a drinking bar in the country which was being supported by the Business Advocacy Challenge Fund (BUSAC).

The Eastern Regional Director of the FDA, Mr George Pentsil, said every trader buying goods for resale had a responsibility to ensure that the goods were registered with the Authority and urged that any fellow who was in doubt could check.

He said if the individual did not check with the Authority and an unregistered product was found in the premises, the operator would be required to give detailed report of where he bought the product for the authority to follow up.

He said if a trader found with unregistered products failed to disclose the source of the items he would be held responsible for selling unregistered products.

Mr Samuel Kwame Dadzie, of the GRA, said business entities that did not agree with the tax rate imposed on them had the right to appeal.

He said the notion that a business entity which disclosed its full details of business activities would be made to pay higher tax rates was not true.

Mr Dadzie said such entities were rather entitled to many reliefs that could make them pay less tax.

Source: GNA