GRA Boss Urged to Prioritize Sustainable Tax Policies Over IMF Targets
David Ofosu-Dorte, senior partner at AB & David Africa, has advised the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Sarpong, to focus on sustainable tax policies rather than solely aiming to meet revenue targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Speaking during an interview on Citi FM, Mr Ofosu-Dorte emphasized the importance of a balanced fiscal strategy.
While acknowledging Sarpong’s competence in leading the GRA, he stressed the need to broaden the tax base and explore new revenue streams rather than intensifying tax collection efforts to align with IMF benchmarks.
“He [Anthony Sarpong] is competent, but I think his two challenges are to broaden the tax base so more people can pay and find new sources and ensure that we can increase revenue. What I want him to avoid is increasing revenue based on the target set by the IMF,” Mr Ofosu-Dorte stated.
He further criticized the country’s dependence on IMF-imposed revenue goals, arguing that such an approach could undermine Ghana’s long-term economic stability.
“I do not understand how we plan our whole life around what the IMF sets. As a nation, we should know the target, and those targets should also include reducing the government’s expenditure. It is not just about raising it only,” he added.
His comments come amid growing concerns over Ghana’s fiscal policy direction, as the country remains under an IMF-backed $3 billion Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme, which requires strict adherence to revenue and expenditure commitments.
