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Ghana govt cleans tax system by removing 'harassing' GRA operators
Ghana govt cleans tax system by removing 'harassing' GRA operators
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 2 mins read
The Ghanaian government has taken steps to clean up its tax system by removing Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) officials accused of harassing businesses. Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam made the announcement during the Annual Cocktail event with the French business community, held at the French Ambassador’s residence in Accra.
Dr. Amin Adam reassured French businesses operating in Ghana that the government is addressing concerns about the business climate, particularly the harassment from tax collectors. He emphasized that the government is working to improve the situation to create a more favorable environment for foreign investors.
“I want to appeal to you to continue to stay in Ghana because we are addressing all the issues that you have raised with me,” Dr. Amin Adam said. “Issues relating to taxes and harassment of businesses by tax collectors, you will notice, have been resolved. We’ve had to withdraw all the tax collectors who were allegedly harassing businesses from those centres of operation, and so you won’t see them anymore,” he added.
This move comes in response to several complaints from businesses about the aggressive tactics used by the GRA in its tax collection efforts. Dr. Amin Adam’s reassurances follow criticism from several business leaders, including New Patriotic Party Flagbearer and Vice President of the country, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who has pointed out that the GRA’s imposition of unrealistic targets on tax officers often leads to harassment of compliant businesses.
In March, Dr. Bawumia attributed the harassment to the GRA’s narrow tax base and excessive targets, which he claimed led officers to target already paying taxpayers to meet quotas.
Business leaders have long expressed concerns about the burden of high taxes and inflation, which, coupled with the depreciation of the cedi, have created a difficult operating environment.
Despite these challenges, the government remains focused on improving the business climate and has taken this step to help rebuild trust with foreign investors and ensure smoother operations for businesses in Ghana.
