Ghana Revenue Authority Targets Retrieval of GHS 163m in Unpaid Taxes and VAT Arrears
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has revealed that nine institutions collectively owe the state GH¢47 million in unpaid taxes as of the end of 2023, underscoring persistent compliance challenges among both private and state-owned enterprises.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Monday, August 25, 2025, Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong said the Authority has begun recovery processes to retrieve the outstanding sums.
According to the GRA, the Graphic Communications Group tops the list of debtors with GH¢3.4 million in arrears, followed by GIHOC Distilleries with GH¢2.1 million. The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) owes GH¢136,000.
Officials from the Authority noted that most of the indebted institutions—particularly state-owned enterprises—have attributed their inability to settle outstanding tax bills to persistent cash flow constraints.
In addition to the GH¢47 million in direct tax arrears, the GRA disclosed that unpaid Value Added Tax (VAT) liabilities amounting to GH¢116 million remain outstanding. This was confirmed by Edward Apenteng Gyamerah, Commissioner for Domestic Tax Revenue.
Mr Sarpong told lawmakers that the Authority is stepping up enforcement to improve compliance across sectors. “We are intensifying efforts to recover these arrears and ensure that all institutions meet their obligations to the state,” he said.
The disclosure adds to concerns over revenue mobilisation as the government seeks to close financing gaps in the 2025 budget and strengthen its fiscal position under the ongoing IMF programme.
