By Morkporkpor Anku,
GNA
Accra, March 31, GNA – Mr Theophilus Kwesi Ehun, Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority Workers Union (GRAWU), has called for systemic reforms within the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to address recurring issues of corruption and improve revenue mobilisation.
He said integrity challenges within the Authority were often recurring, particularly during transitions in government, and that solutions must go beyond personnel changes to strengthening systems and processes.
Mr Ehun was addressing the 12th National Executive Council meeting of GRAWU in Accra, where members gathered to review activities for 2025 and plan for 2026, including assessing the union’s financial position and discussing key operational issues.
The Meeting was on the theme: “Transforming for Impact and Growth -The Role of Labour in Strengthening Work Ethics of GRA.”
The Union used the opportunity to launch its 4-year Strategic Plan (2026-2029).
The Plan seeks to build a resilient Union, improve its operational efficiency, and improve capacity of its members and the financial resource base.
He proposed the introduction of client feedback mechanisms to allow taxpayers to directly assess the conduct of officers, as well as the strengthening of reward systems to encourage professionalism and ethical behaviour.
The Chairman raised concerns over the increasing involvement of the Ministry of Finance in operational activities of the Authority, warning that it could undermine institutional autonomy and efficiency.
He highlighted issues relating to technological systems, urging management to ensure that new platforms did not duplicate existing ones, while reaffirming the union’s commitment to dialogue over industrial action.
Mr Kweku Ricketts-Hagan, the Board Chairman of GRA, emphasised the critical role of labour in promoting ethics, professionalism and performance within the Authority.
He said ethics remained the foundation of public trust, which in turn drove tax compliance and sustainable revenue growth, describing labour as a key driver of institutional transformation.
Mr Ricketts-Hagan noted that the Authority had made significant progress in domestic revenue mobilisation through reforms in digitalisation, compliance and operational efficiency, adding that an ambitious revenue target of over GH¢230 billion had been set.
He assured staff that the Board was committed to addressing key concerns, including the Kanda headoffice issue involving the Ministry of Finance, while prioritising staff welfare, training and transparent human resource processes.
The Board Chairman called on staff to uphold professionalism, integrity and teamwork, expressing confidence that with unity of purpose, the Authority would achieve its targets and position itself as a model for tax administration in Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe