By Stanley Senya
Accra, March 20, GNA – Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam, has urged Muslims to pay their taxes to raise revenue for the country’s developmental projects.
He assured the government of his commitment to encouraging Imams in the country to use their pulpit to educate the Muslim communities on the need for tax compliance.
The Chief Imam said this through Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, the spokesperson for the Chief Imam, when a delegation from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) paid a courtesy call on the Muslim leader.
The visit was to appeal to the Chief Imam to support the Authority in intensifying its education on tax-related matters.
Sheikh Sharubutu underscored the importance of tax payment for national development, adding, “The country’s economic stability rested on paying our taxes.”
He said it was imperative for all to pay taxes to meet the domestic revenue target, pledging the Muslims support to complement the Authority to increase awareness of tax compliance.
“We believed that payment of taxes was a civic and national duty. Our domestic revenue needs to grow, and we will support by encouraging Muslims to pay their taxes,” he said.
He called on the Authority to help ensure accountability from the revenue collected to build the trust and confidence of the public.
Brigadier-General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo, Commissioner, Customs Division of GRA, said the visit was important because the Authority was committed to ensuring tax education among citizens.
“We need the religious bodies to support our activities to raise revenue for the country because we know that those who are faithful will heed the dictates of the Quoran and pay their taxes,” he said.
He said the payment of taxes was not easy, but he was optimistic that the influence of the Chief Imam would encourage the Muslim faithful to acknowledge the need for tax compliance.
That, he stressed, was necessary because tax education and compliance played a key role in revenue mobilisation for the country’s development.
He reiterated the Authority’s resolve to intensify tax education campaigns so that citizens would appreciate the voluntary need to honour their tax obligations.
Dr Alex Adomako- Mensah, Commissioner for Support Services Division, speaking to the media, emphasized the need for Ghanaians to prioritise and pay their taxes, adding that without taxes the country cannot develop like the other nations”, he added.
He said every tax collected was allocated to government spending for economic transformation.
Dr Adomako-Mensah assured citizens of collecting taxes from taxpayers to ensure adequate revenue for the country.
During the courtesy call the GRA customs division, donated some items in support for Muslims during their Ramadan fasting.
The items included 100 bags of rice, 5 cartons of oil, 6 cartons of Tomato paste, 50 packs of bottled water and 6 packs of carbonated soda drinks.
The National Chief Imam thanked the delegation for the support to the Muslim community, especially during their fasting period.
He prayed for strength, good health and wisdom to enable them to steer the affairs of their respective organisations.
He further prayed for peace and harmony in Ghana, that no war or conflict shall ever occur from generations to generations.
GNA
CA/