New Sports Tax Sparks Outrage — Ghanaians Slam Government Over Another ‘Nuisance Tax’ Plan

Public anger is mounting over the government’s latest proposal to introduce a new “sports tax” to replace the scrapped betting tax — a move many Ghanaians are calling yet another nuisance tax that will burden citizens without fixing the core problems in Ghana’s sports sector.

The initiative, spearheaded by Youth and Sports Minister Kofi Adams, is expected to channel revenue directly into local sports development. But critics argue that government’s poor track record in managing tax revenue makes the proposal unacceptable.

Public Skepticism Over Tax Accountability

Many Ghanaians say they do not oppose taxation itself — they oppose misuse and mismanagement of taxes. Over the years, funds from similar levies have allegedly failed to serve their intended purposes, leaving sectors like health, education, and infrastructure in disarray.

“We don’t hate paying taxes; we hate waste,” a resident in Osu told Nsemgh. “There are dozens of nuisance taxes the government could merge or scrap to make room for this one. We don’t need another drain.”

Civil Society Sounds Alarm

Prominent think tank IMANI Ghana has strongly cautioned against introducing any new tax measures, warning that doing so could further cripple the struggling economy.

“If the government refuses to listen and pushes through with another tax, it will be catastrophic,” IMANI stated in a release. “The focus should be on plugging leakages, not adding more burdens to citizens.”

Economists echo similar sentiments, noting that the current high cost of living — coupled with inflation and rising unemployment — leaves little room for new taxes, especially ones whose outcomes are uncertain.

GFA Under Fire

The proposal has also reignited concerns over corruption and waste within the Ghana Football Association (GFA). Many argue that if the GFA were transparent and accountable, the sports sector would not require external funding through taxation.

“When millions are splashed on the Black Stars for friendlies and bonuses far above what countries like Germany or the UK pay their players, why should ordinary citizens pay another tax?” one analyst asked.

Public confidence in the GFA has dwindled after years of scandals, poor management, and declining domestic league attendance. Critics insist that internal reforms, not taxation, are the real solution.

Calls for Fiscal Discipline

Social commentators say the Sports Ministry should explore reallocation of existing taxes, sponsorship deals, and private partnerships instead of burdening the public again.

“It’s time government cuts wasteful spending and proves fiscal discipline before introducing any new taxes,” said an economist from the University of Ghana.

The Bigger Picture

As public frustration grows, citizens see the proposed sports tax as yet another example of Ghana’s growing tax fatigue — multiple levies with little visible benefit. With elections looming, the government risks deepening distrust among voters already weary of broken promises and poor accountability.

Bottom line: Ghanaians love sports — but they are tired of footing the bill for inefficiency, corruption, and political experiments. Unless government proves it can manage public funds responsibly, this new “sports tax” may become the next symbol of citizen resistance to fiscal mismanagement.

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