Vice President pushes for tax reforms to boost revenue, ease compliance

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called for a tax system that generates the revenue needed for Ghana’s development while remaining fair, efficient and supportive of businesses and individuals.

She made the call at the 14th Annual International Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana (CITG), held on August 19, 2026, under the theme, “Tax Reforms in Practice: Implications for Businesses and Tax Administration.”

Professor Opoku-Agyemang said government had already taken important steps to ease the tax burden and simplify the tax system but stressed that reforming tax laws alone would not be enough.

She said improving tax administration through the effective use of technology and data, simpler processes and enhanced taxpayer education would be critical to making tax compliance easier.

The Vice President also highlighted the importance of trust between taxpayers and tax authorities, noting that people are more likely to meet their obligations when they understand the tax system, believe it is fair and can engage with the authorities without unnecessary difficulty.

She said, "tax professionals have an important role to play in building that trust by helping businesses and individuals understand their obligations, supporting compliance and contributing their expertise to the development of tax policies."

Professor Opoku Agyemang further urged Ghana to remain technically prepared as business and international taxation continue to evolve.

She called for stronger collaboration with other African countries to ensure that Ghana’s interests and those of the continent are effectively represented in global tax discussions.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has set a target to mobilise GH¢310 billion in tax revenue by 2028, double the GH¢155 billion collected in 2024.

GRA Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong said the target is based on sustained annual revenue growth of at least 20 percent.

He said "the GRA collected GH¢182 billion in 2025 and is targeting GH¢225 billion in 2026, GH¢260 billion in 2027 and GH¢310 billion by 2028."

Sarpong said the revenue targets form part of a medium-term strategy to ensure sustainable domestic revenue mobilisation capable of supporting national development.

Ghana working to export electricity to Nigeria – Dr John Jinapor

President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana, Ernestina Christina Appiah, meanwhile, appealed for support to establish a permanent and purpose-built secretariat for the institute.

She said the CITG currently operates from two classrooms serving as office space, graciously provided by the University of Professional Studies, Accra.

According to her, although the institute appreciates the support, the current arrangement is inadequate for an institution with a statutory responsibility and a growing membership.

She said the institute needs a befitting and permanent secretariat that would provide an institutional home from which it could effectively regulate the tax profession.

AM

#TrendingGH: 'We have used it for years' - Traders speak on Ethemax use