The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition has engaged industry players in the Public and Private Sector and Civil Society Organizations in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, on tax compliance and responsibility, with emphasis on the challenges in revenue mobilization.
According to a Fiscal Policy Specialist at OXFAM, Dr. Alex Ampaabeng, the stakeholder engagement, sought to improve the country’s domestic revenue and reduce over reliance on foreign loans.
“We need to emphasize tax compliance and responsibility. Currently Ghana is on a 14% on tax to GDP, while other African countries are averaging better, we need to bridge the gap, that allow for seepages. We do not only emphasize tax compliance, but also tax responsibility, someone can pay tax, but we need to find out if the right amount of tax is being paid,’’ Dr. Ampaabeng explained.
The Area Director for the Eastern, Volta and Oti Regions of the Ghana Revenue Authority, GRA, Joseph Asare, in a presentation, disclosed, that the introduction of the Ghana Card has improved revenue mobilization in the region, adding that it has helped to capture businesses onto their tax list. Mr. Asare entreated the public to demand their VAT invoice whenever they buy goods that require VAT invoice. He highlighted some measures his office has outlined to improve domestic revenue mobilization.
“We are encouraging Ghanaians to demand their tax issued invoices. To see to it that taxes improve. With the tax payer’s portal, I know those who have not filed, can file their taxes from the comfort of their offices.’’
The National Chairman of the Association of Road Contractors, John Afful in an interview with GBC News pointed out some challenges confronting the Association.
“We are not refusing to pay taxes, but some construction companies are being owed by government. But there is no money to pay cash. That is the reason why, we expect that when we show the unpaid certificate, it should be accepted,’’ Mr. Afful stated.
Executive Director of Revenue Mobilization Africa, Godfred Kabutey Ocansey explained why Ghana should expedite the passage of the Tax Exemption Bill to eradicate the loopholes in the current tax exemption list.
“During the Covid, there were issues, now we need to match up. When the exemptions are made, it must not affect the revenue in flows,” explained Mr. Kabutey Ocansey