The Minister for Finance, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, has charged the newly constituted Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Board to work closely with relevant institutions and stakeholders to reduce tax non-compliance and block revenue leakages.
The Minister emphasized the importance of achieving medium-term revenue targets of 18%-20% tax/GDP ratio and meeting indicative targets and structural benchmarks related to revenue under the IMF program.
Dr. Amin Adam made this known during the inauguration of the nine-member board, chaired by Hon. Joe Ghartey, a former Minister for Railway Development.
The board members include a Deputy Minister for Finance, Dr. Alex Ampaabeng, Commissioner-General for GRA, Ms. Julie Essiam, a Deputy Minister for Trade, Hon. Micheal Okyere Baafi, and 2nd Deputy Governor for the Bank of Ghana, Mrs. Elsie Addo Awadzi.
The Minister urged the board to work closely with other relevant stakeholders to address issues of alleged harassment of business owners, employ a digitalization drive to streamline tax administration, and reduce dependence on “human interventions.”
He emphasized the need to build confidence in GRA, which would ultimately lead to increased revenue for development.
Dr. Amin Adam also entreated the board to prioritize necessary improvements and additions to GRA’s physical infrastructure, augment ongoing efforts aimed at fully implementing the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), build the capacity of officers, and improve the quality of data analysis for informed decision-making.
The Chairperson of the Board, Hon. Joe Ghartey, stated that it was a unique opportunity to serve the nation and that the performance of the Ghana Revenue Authority was crucial, particularly at this point in the country’s history.
He assured the President of their commitment to bring positive changes to GRA.
The Minister commended the previous Board for effective revenue mobilization and noted that strong leadership and dedicated staff have been pivotal in achieving revenue targets.
He expressed his commitment to supporting the Board and leading the staff to drive GRA to new heights, emphasizing the need to “change the narrative and eclipse a 20% threshold of revenue to GDP within the shortest possible time.”
