The Private Sector Anti-Corruption Group (PSCAG) an association led institution made up of the main Chambers of Commerce in the country held a closed-door discussion with officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) with the goal to assist GRA to increase domestic revenue mobilization and discuss some associated challenges with tax collection.
The encounter was held on Wednesday, June 10 at the Villa Boutique Hotel in Osu and attended by representatives of the GRA, PwC, KPMG, EY and heads of the various Chambers of Commerce in the country.
Speaking on reforms at the GRA to aid tax collection, Deputy Commissioner Daniel Edisi, outlined new digital approaches to mobilize revenue across various sectors of the economy.
“Payment of taxes will be cashless and digital to speed up time spent paying taxes and improve accountability in the tax collection process,” he said.
In answering questions on the perception of harassment from GRA officials, Mr. Edisi urged the attendees to take advantage of the newly created Tax Audit and Quality Assurance Department (TAQA) to report such officers for investigations and swift sanctions will be applied.
“Report these recalcitrant officers on condition of unanimity to TAQA and they will be punished accordingly if investigated and found guilty,” he averred.
Mr. Dominic Naab and Mr. Victor Akogo also of the GRA addressed attendees and answered questions pertaining to withholding taxes, VAT, exemptions and tax assessment. The trade associations applauded government for its digital drive in tax collection, but urged the GRA to communicate and engage with businesses on a regular basis. They also called on government as a matter of urgency to broaden the tax base in Ghana and operationalize the TAX APPEALS BOARD.
PSACG is a private sector association formed by the U.K-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC), American Chamber of Commerce-Ghana(AMCHAM), Canada Ghana Chamber of Commerce (CANCHAM), Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council (GNBCC), French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ghana (FCCIG), and the Association of Ghanaian Industries (AGI) in 2018 with the goal of addressing practices that impact the private sector negatively through advocacy and strategic dialogues.
