Account for taxes, review exemptions, digitise payments – Experts

Tax accountability is a sure way for the government of Ghana to encourage citizens to pay their taxes to contribute towards national development.

This is according to experts and industry players who participated in a roundtable organised by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) on “Taxation and Accountability in Ghana.”

In its 2021 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, the government introduced six new levies and increased other existing taxes, with the aim of helping to rebuild the country’s public finances.

While some argued that the imposition of these new taxes were ill-timed, others bemoaned the lack of infrastructural development after years of paying various taxes.

The findings from the Afrobarometer Round 8 survey conducted in 2019 indicate that although the majority of Ghanaians (72%) are willing to pay more in taxes to help finance the country’s development from domestic resources, a similar proportion (70%) say they find it “difficult” or “very difficult” getting information about what the government does with taxes it collects.

Thus, the CDD-Ghana’s roundtable serves as a platform for policymakers, tax experts, and representatives from institutions and associations such as the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) to interrogate how the country can achieve a clear and effective balance between the concerns for accountability, negative economic impact and essential need for financing development in the COVID era.

The panelists identified lack of accountability, embezzlement of public funds, and abuse of tax exemptions as some of the key causes influencing tax evasion and lack of tax compliance.

Mr Kwaku Kwarteng, the Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee and Member of Parliament (MP) for Obuasi West, stressed the importance of being transparent and accountable to citizens on how tax revenues are spent.

“It is important for us to hold government and public office holders accountable when it comes to taxation because citizens need to know that the monies they pay to the state by way of taxes are being put to good use,” he said.

The former Deputy Finance Minister encouraged businesses, individuals and the general public to honour their tax obligations to boost the internally generated revenue needed to address the developmental needs of the country.

Also, Dr. Ato Forson, the Ranking Member of Parliament’s Finance Committee and MP for Ajumako Enyan Essiam, was of the view that tax increments and introduction of new levies were not the solution to increasing tax revenues. He recommended the enforcement of tax laws, true accountability on tax revenues and an urgent review of tax treaties and exemptions, which according to him are being abused by some multi-national institutions and certain individuals.

For his part, Prof. William Baah-Boateng, Head of Economics Department at the University of Ghana, advocated for the digitisation of the payment of direct taxes and review of the existing tax exemption laws to block loopholes which cause the state to lose revenue meant for national development.

Mr. Abeku Gyan-Quansah, Tax Partner at PwC, supported calls for the passage of the Tax Exemptions Bill which was submitted in Parliament in 2019.

CDD-Ghana’s roundtable discussions provide an avenue and the space for well-informed reflections and conversations on various topics of national interest.

The discussion on ‘Taxation and Accountability in Ghana’ which is the fourth in the series of roundtables to be organized this year, forms part of the Center’s commitment to ensuring inclusive development by educating citizens on taxation and encouraging the demand for government accountability on tax expenditure, while advocating for tax reforms.