By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, May 15, GNA – The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has organised a national tax education programme for Muslim leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners to promote voluntary tax compliance.
The programme, held under the auspices of the National Chief Imam, sought to deepen public understanding of taxation and encourage citizens and businesses to contribute to national development through tax payment.
Mr. Victor Yao Akogo, Chief Revenue Officer at the Domestic Tax Revenue Division of the GRA, said tax education was essential in building a culture of voluntary compliance because people willingly paid taxes when they understood their civic responsibility.
He described taxation as a constitutional obligation that required citizens to honestly declare income and pay taxes.
Mr Akogo said taxes were the lifeblood of every nation, providing government with resources to finance schools, hospitals, roads, security and other essential public services.
He said the mandate of the GRA under the GRA Act, 2009 (Act 791), was to mobilise domestic revenue by identifying individuals and businesses earning income and ensuring that part was contributed to the state for development purposes.
On tax categories, Mr Akogo outlined direct taxes, including corporate income tax and personal income tax, explaining that companies were required to pay 25 per cent tax on profits while individuals paid between zero and 35 per cent depending on income levels.
He highlighted the modified taxation system for small businesses and self-employed persons and urged artisans, traders and operators in the informal sector to comply with their tax obligations.
Touching on indirect taxes, Mr Akogo said the revised Value Added Tax regime introduced in January 2026 had simplified tax administration and currently applied a standard 15 per cent VAT rate plus levies, bringing the total to 20 per cent on goods and services.
He urged consumers to demand VAT invoices whenever they purchased goods or services to ensure taxes collected by businesses were properly accounted for and paid to government.
Mr Akogo said improved tax compliance would help Ghana reduce dependence on external borrowing and strengthen economic independence.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey
Caption: Pictures Attached
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku