The Gyaasehene of Apinto Divisional Council, Nana Adarkwa Bediako III, has made an appeal to the Government to waive taxes on the reconstruction of the “Tarkwa na Aboso” stadium in the Western Region.
Nana Bediako III explained that the project, funded by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF), was a community initiative aimed at promoting sports in the country.
Expressing surprise, he stated that the traditional authorities from Apinto Divisional Council and Wassa Fiase Traditional Area were informed that Gold Fields would have to pay a withholding tax of about $2 million for the project.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Nana Bediako III emphasized the impact of the tax burden on other important projects.
He urged the Minister of Finance to reconsider the decision, highlighting that the funds could be utilized for community development.
Appreciating Gold Fields' efforts in upgrading the Tarkwa na Aboso Park to a stadium, Nana Bediako III acknowledged the need for further development in Tarkwa and its surrounding areas. He believed that exempting the taxes would contribute to this cause.
The construction of the stadium, undertaken by Micheletti & Company Limited and costing $16.2 million, includes various facilities such as seating stands, parking lots, offices, dressing rooms, and media centres.
The goal is to meet international standards with a seating capacity of 10,400, in contrast to the previous capacity of 400.
