By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, May 14, GNA – The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has called for stronger collaboration and regular engagement with the business community to improve tax administration, compliance and economic growth.
Mr Anthony Sarpong, Commissioner-General of the GRA, proposed quarterly engagements between the Authority and the leadership of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI) to ensure that concerns affecting businesses were discussed and resolved promptly.
He made the call at a high-level business engagement session organised by the GNCCI in Accra, dubbed “Time with the GRA Commissioner-General”, as part of the Chamber’s dialogue series aimed at strengthening collaboration between the private sector and key State institutions.
Mr Sarpong described businesses as “partners in development” rather than merely taxpayers, stressing the need for continuous dialogue and mutual understanding.
He acknowledged frustrations businesses sometimes encountered in dealing with the GRA and assured participants that reforms were being implemented to improve customer experience, transparency and operational efficiency while sustaining domestic revenue mobilisation.
Mr Sarpong said the GRA had begun internal reforms focused on improving staff conduct and institutional culture, while leveraging technology to strengthen efficiency, data management and public trust.
He outlined digital reforms including a revised Value Added Tax (VAT) system, which removed cascading levies and streamlined VAT application to reduce cost burdens on businesses.
Mr Sarpong said that the rollout of the Fiscal Electronic Devices Act would automate VAT collection and improve compliance nationwide, with selected businesses participating in pilot phases before full implementation.
On customs reforms, he explained that the AI-powered valuation system introduced at the ports was intended to improve fairness, consistency and transparency in customs assessments by reducing excessive human discretion.
Mr Sarpong announced the implementation of an Integrated Tax Administration System designed to create a seamless taxpayer platform linking customs and domestic tax operations, with databases from other State institutions integrated to broaden compliance and enhance revenue mobilisation.
“The ultimate objective of the reforms is to build a fair, transparent and technology-driven tax administration system that supports business growth and reduces Ghana’s dependence on borrowing,” he said.
Mr. Stephane Miezan, President of the GNCCI, described the engagement as an important platform to strengthen understanding and cooperation between tax authorities and private sector operators.
He noted that businesses often faced operational difficulties and misunderstandings in their dealings with the GRA, making direct dialogue essential.
Mr. Miezan said the Chamber, representing more than 10,000 businesses nationwide, remained committed to serving as a bridge between the private sector and government institutions.
He listed concerns including delays in accessing tax refunds, inconsistencies in exemption policies, delays in issuing exemption certificates, challenges with the AI-powered customs valuation system, increasing import costs, and delays in tax credit updates and cargo clearance.
Mr Miezan expressed optimism that the engagement would improve trust, strengthen partnerships and create a more business-friendly environment through sustained collaboration between the GRA and the private sector.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
By Morkporkpor Anku