News •
A large part of government revenue is derived from various taxes, including a value-added tax (VAT), income tax, property tax, and other taxes. Tax concessions are available to certain classes of business.
The trade union movement played a role in the struggle for self-government, and after independence the government, recognizing the importance of the movement as a political force, sought to make it a more direct instrument of policy. All trade unions in the country were brought under the authority of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which was virtually an integral part of the government; this curtailed the freedom of workers to bargain with employers and with the government. After the fall of the Nkrumah government, the monopoly of the TUC was abolished, and other unions were able to function. In addition to the TUC, the Ghana Federation of Labour also serves a as trade union centre.
Transportation
The density of roads and railways is greater in the southern part of the country than in the north. Only about one-fourth of the country’s roads are paved. Motor transport, now widespread and popular, was introduced in the towns about 1912 and spread quickly to the cacao-growing areas. There are municipal bus services and express coach and freight services between the larger towns.
Rail transport was introduced in the early 20th century. The rail system forms a triangle joining Sekondi-Takoradi, Kumasi, and Accra. Additional lines run within the triangle, and branches connect to other towns, including the mining towns of Tarkwa and Dunkwa, as well as to the port of Tema. Rail transport is less popular than road transport and is primarily used for the transport of freight.
Small airports, including those located at Takoradi and Sunyani, are used for domestic services, while airports at Tamale in the north, Kumasi in the south-centre, and Kotoka International Airport at Accra in the south handle both domestic and international flights. Air transport is used predominantly for passengers.
Most goods entering and leaving the country are carried by sea. There are ports at Takoradi (opened 1928) and Tema (opened 1961). Takoradi specializes in exporting oil, gas, manganese, and bauxite, while Tema specializes in the export of cocoa beans. Both ports also handle passengers.