Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has officially inaugurated the Governing Board of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), issuing a resounding call for strategic reforms and aggressive domestic revenue mobilisation as the nation navigates tight financing conditions and dwindling donor support.
The newly inaugurated board, appointed by President John Dramani Mahama, consists of distinguished individuals drawn from various sectors of national life.
The board is chaired by Hon. George Ricketts Hagan, former Deputy Minister of Finance and current Deputy Majority Leader, with Mr. Anthony Sarpong, GRA Commissioner, Mr. Patrick Nomo, Chief Director at the Finance Ministry and Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Minister of Trade and Agribusiness as members.
Other members of the board include Dr. Zakaria Mumuni, 1st Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Madam Faustina Nelson, Mr. George Ayiretey, Hon. Laadi Ayamba, and Hon. Francis-Xavier Sosu.
In his address at the ceremony, Dr. Ato Forson expressed profound gratitude to the President for selecting what he described as a “distinguished team of esteemed and accomplished individuals,” each with a proven record of excellence and public service.
“As we inaugurate this Board today, it is important to acknowledge the enormity of the task ahead. You assume this mantle at a time when the government faces significant fiscal constraints, underscoring the urgent need to bolster domestic revenue mobilisation efforts.”
Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson
The Finance Minister minced no words about the severe fiscal constraints currently confronting Ghana.
With international capital markets closed to the country following the recent debt restructuring programme, Ghana’s main source of borrowing has become the domestic treasury bills market.
Furthermore, the nation has suffered significant cutbacks in donor support. According to Dr. Forson, development partners have scaled back programme and project grants amid what he termed “today’s era of multiple crises.”
One glaring example he cited was the recent withdrawal of USAID funding, which has cost Ghana over US$78 million in health support and US$156 million across education and economic growth initiatives.
These developments, he noted, present a stark reality: the country must wean itself off dependence on external grants and strengthen its capacity to generate revenue domestically.
“This makes optimising domestic revenue mobilisation the number one priority of our fiscal objective for 2025 and the medium-term.”
Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson
Fiscal Targets and Strategic Goals
The government’s fiscal consolidation programme, Dr. Forson explained, is aimed at transforming Ghana’s primary balance from a deficit of 3.9% of GDP to a surplus of 1.5% by 2025.
An integral part of achieving this goal is a sustained improvement in domestic revenue. According to the Finance Minister, Ghana has set an ambitious but necessary target: to increase revenue collection by at least 0.6 percentage points of GDP annually.
This strategy is also expected to help reduce the external debt service-to-revenue ratio from 28% in 2022 to 18% by 2028.
“In simple terms, every additional tax cedi we can raise domestically is a step closer to freeing ourselves from the shackles of debt dependency and ensuring national economic sovereignty.”
Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson
Areas for Urgent Reform
Dr. Forson outlined five priority areas requiring immediate attention by the new GRA Board: Firstly, he called for modernisation of the GRA, stressing the need for not just system upgrades but a fundamental transformation in operational efficiency.
According to him, a modern, fully automated GRA would enhance tax collection, minimise avoidance, and improve the overall taxpayer experience.
Secondly, Dr Forson underscored the significance of building a culture of integrity, insisting that the GRA must be built on a foundation of fairness, ethical conduct, and transparency.
Corruption and fraud, he warned, must be eradicated at all levels, asserting that every cedi lost represents a missed opportunity for national development.
“Revenue lost through corruption translates to unbuilt schools, unpaved roads, and lives adversely affected by inadequate healthcare, unsafe drinking water, and poor sanitation.
“We must uphold the highest standards, rooting out unethical behaviour at all levels, and exemplify transparency, accountability, and service to the nation.”
Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson
On combating smuggling, Dr Forson argued that smuggling is not just a tax issue—it’s an economic injustice and national security threat.
He called for stronger enforcement, enhanced intelligence, and close collaboration with other agencies to stem the tide of smuggling that undermines local industries and drains tax revenue.
One innovative measure Dr. Forson proposed was the mandatory rotation of GRA officers every two years as part of measures to reform the internal operations of GRA.
This, he believes, would reduce the risk of collusion, enrich staff experience, and boost organisational integrity.
The Finance Minister also urged the GRA to work closely with the Revenue Policy Division of the Ministry, which offers policy insights and innovative solutions.
“As Minister for Finance, I am committed to supporting GRA in fulfilling its mandate. My doors remain open to feedback, new perspectives, and strategies that advance the work of both the Board and Management.”
Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson
Performance Accountability and Motivation
To promote a culture of performance and accountability, Dr. Forson revealed that a performance bonus Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be signed with the Commissioner-General of the GRA.
The MoU, which will be witnessed by the Commissioners for Domestic Tax and Customs, aims to link institutional goals directly with measurable outcomes, fostering a results-oriented leadership at the authority.
The Finance Minister described the current economic moment as a defining one for the Ghana Revenue Authority.
He reminded the Board and Management that Ghana possesses the tools, talent, and vision to build a revenue system that truly works for its people.
“Let us remember that every tax cedi collected—and every integrity-driven decision made—brings us closer to building the prosperous, inclusive, and self-reliant Ghana We All Want Together”.
Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson
He concluded by extending the government’s heartfelt congratulations to the new Board members on behalf of President Mahama, noting that their service was not just an appointment but a national call to action.
The new Board of the Ghana Revenue Authority comes into office at a time when the stakes for fiscal discipline and economic reform could not be higher.
Its mandate extends beyond traditional oversight—it must help steer an institution critical to the country’s economic survival and future development.
The emphasis on internal reforms, accountability, and enhanced collaboration reflects a broader shift in government thinking: that the path to economic sovereignty lies not just in attracting foreign investment or external aid, but in building robust, transparent, and efficient domestic institutions.
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