GCNet presents GH¢20million dividend to government

The Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GC-Net) has presented a cheque for GH¢20 million as dividend to government.

The amount represents the 2nd part payment for 2018 and first part payment for 2019 of government’s 20 per cent shareholding in GCNet, which is held by the Ghana Revenue Authority.

GCNet provides e-Solutions to Government, by offering electronic platforms for Revenue Mobilization and Trade Facilitation, easing trade processes with system availability nationwide.

Presenting the cheque on behalf of GCNet, Deputy General Manager, Emmanuel Darko said the presentation of the dividend is a manifestation of GCNet’s commitment to support government revenue mobilisation efforts.

He said the company had deployed its TRIPS system at 69 Domestic Tax Revenue Division, which had significantly helped in the achievement of revenue targets.

He said even though trade volumes have reduced at the ports which has affected revenue targets, GCNet, is ever ready to deploy new applications that would help address the challenges to enhance revenue mobilization.

“We are setting measures that are to be put in place, among which is the placement of people who are tax payers who are registered, but yet to be assigned to specific tax offices, and make sure they do the proper filing for all their tax payments,” he disclosed.

Receiving the cheque, the Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, said GCNet plays an integral role in trade facilitation and revenue mobilisation at the ports of Ghana.

He said Ghana lagged behind peers in terms of revenue to Gross Domestic Product, which currently stands at 12.6 per cent while most countries are doing about 19 per cent.

He expressed optimism that GCNet, with the deployment of technology will bridge gap.

“We still got a long way to go. Revenue to GDP is about 12.6%, and we need to move to 19%, so the intervention of service providers, GCNet is going to be very crucial,” he said.