Businessman Nana Kwafme Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar, has been fined by GRA. The head of the New Force Movement, he has been linked to multiple tax evasion scandals that have exposed his apparent contempt for state laws and commitment to the advancement of the country.
The prominent businessman, who recently announced his intention to run for president in the country’s upcoming general elections, has been charged by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) with tax evasion.
A reliable source at the GRA revealed to the Ghanaian Times that Cheddar was fined GH¢50,000.00 for failing to file his personal income tax returns between 2013 and 2016.
“He again neglected to file his returns for the post-2020 period, even though he settled a sum of GH¢209,171.00 between 2018 and 2020,” the source said.
The source disclosed once more that Cheddar owed GH¢2,088,228 and GH¢5,096,536 in taxes for the 2021–2022 tax years, respectively, plus penalties for failing to file his personal income tax returns.
The source told The Times that they were also worried about Cheddar’s role in a tax evasion scandal, stating that it cast doubt on both his financial practices and his commitment to national development. The significance of personal income tax as a vital source of information about an individual’s asset holdings and investment activities was also emphasized by this source.
“His actions as a presidential candidate and self-declared savior of Ghana set a concerning example for the moral standards expected of people in positions of influence. It is critical to identify income that may be underreported or dubious, including purchases made with an asset. There are deeper concerns about the honesty and integrity of someone who wants to be the country’s leader when they consistently fail to pay penalties rather than just declaring their income.
“Remember that this scandal is about more than just a single person’s failure to pay taxes; it is also about assessing the social costs of tax evasion and contrasting the rhetoric and behavior of a presidential candidate. The resources available for vital public services, infrastructure development, and initiatives to end poverty are reduced by tax evasion, the source claimed.
Cheddar is well known for having registered numerous companies, amassing a sizable collection of pricey vehicles, and making sizeable donations and gifts.
