Ghana Revenue Authority Commissioner General, Mr Emmanuel Kofi Nti has indicated that the GRA will begin the process of naming, shaming and prosecuting tax debtors who would be found wanting.
He said that it is part of the GRA’s mandate to sensitize the public especially the informal sector on the need to honour their tax obligations.
“With the tax amnesty opportunity offered by GRA to enable tax offenders regularize their tax affairs and come clean having ended, GRA will now bite and bite hard. We will pretty soon embark on the naming and shaming as well as prosecution of tax debtors. I therefore wish to caution the public to be law abiding and comply fully with the tax laws.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) today launched the 2018 national tax campaign to educate Ghanaians on the need to honour their tax obligations, to enable government realize its revenue targets and fast-track developments in the country.
Mr Nti, at the launch of the campaign in Accra on Tuesday, asked members of the public especially the informal sector to cooperate with his outfit in realising significant increase in revenue allocation.
He was speaking at the launch of the ‘2018 GRA Tax Campaign’ in collaboration with the NCCE.
In his speech he noted that the informal sector being the largest in terms of operators constituting about 70% of the national economy, their contribution to tax revenue has been sadly negligible by 2%. The commissioner general indicated that its percentage is unacceptable and must change.
Mr Nti is optimistic that the campaign will yield massive improvement and attitudinal change towards the payment of taxes.
He added that total cooperation is expected from the public.
“It is my expectation that the period for this campaign will witness a significant improvement and change in our attitude towards tax issues, payment and filing of returns.”
In executing this campaign the Ghana Revenue Authority is collaborating with organizations such as the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), the Information Services Department (ISD), the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and UK Aid.
Deputy Finance Minister, Abena Osei Asare on her part, called on the Ghana Revenue Authority to move all barriers to facilitate payment of taxes by citizens.
“I will urge GRA to move all the barriers and improve on the ease of paying taxes by citizens and in so doing we can rope in a lot of people in widening the tax net.”
She hinted that an increased revenue performance and contribution from the large informal sector, will help government to greatly expand investment and infrastructure as well as provide funding for the main social intervention program.
Ms Abena Asare however urged the general public not to neglect their civic responsibilities as their taxes will go a long way in helping shape the country’s economy.
“The culture of impunity with which we neglect our civic duty of paying taxes must seize if we are to achieve our objective and also move Ghana Beyond Aid. Government on its part will also support GRA to hold tax invaders accountable.”
“We want to encourage all of us to do our civic duty and pay our taxes in order for government to get more funding for the needed infrastructure as well as the social intervention program. So I therefore urge all Ghanaians to embrace the GRA call for a change in our attitude towards issues on taxes.” She said.
