The Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, in what appears to be a random working visit, engaged with GRA officers to commend their hard work and enhance tax compliance.
Speaking to the Tax Service Centre at Circle, in Accra, Dr Forson urged the workers to recommit to discipline, integrity, and professionalism among the revenue collectors as they discharge their duties patriotically and judiciously to meet domestic revenue targets.
The visits followed the government’s reform of the tax system to expand the tax net and increase revenue mobilization and collection.
“What we need now is commitment, discipline, and integrity in the way we mobilize revenue.”
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Finance Minister
According to the Acting Defense Minister, he stepped out of his office to “listen, encourage, and help chart a clear path toward improving revenue performance.” He assures them that the national revenue targets set by the government this year and in the coming year are conservative and fully achievable.
Ato’s Priorities for Improved Revenue Collection
The Minister and Member of Parliament, after listening to the tax officers at Circle, outlined three key priorities that will strengthen the discharge of the mandated duties in revenue collection: reducing external interference, tightening compliance, and expanding the deployment of electronic systems designed to seal loopholes and boost efficiency.
In fulfilling these mandates, Dr Forson reiterated his stance on performance-based accountability in the work environment. He expressed his determination and steadfastness to recompense hardworking officers “who deliver results while holding accountable anyone whose actions or inactions undermine the operations of tax offices or the broader national revenue effort.”
He emphasized that “Ghana cannot afford anything less,” further calling on the revenue personnel to rise to the challenge as the country pushes for a stronger, fairer, and more sustainable revenue system.
Dr Forson’s Earlier Visit
The Minister, earlier this week, visited the main Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) tax office in Osu to encourage the workers. During his visit, he tasked the workers to scale up their efforts in domestic revenue mobilization, insisting that his visit is not to interfere in their work but to inspire them.
“I will not obstruct revenue collection, no matter whose ox is gored.”
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Finance Minister
While the government has achieved significant milestones in fiscal discipline and expenditure control, and the Bank of Ghana continues strongly unabated in the management of Ghana’s financial system, revenue generation must now “rise to the challenge.”
Improving Compliance is Sustainable
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson alluded to the fact that improving tax compliance and strengthening revenue collection is far more sustainable and rewarding than resorting to tax increases.
“It pains me anytime we resort to higher taxes instead of widening compliance and improving collection. We cannot keep piling taxes on an already burdened taxpayer.”
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Finance Minister
In ensuring compliance, he revealed that electronic tools will be deployed by the Ministry of Finance in 2026 to promote efficiency in tax revenue compliance and also in the entire revenue administration.
He assured the staff, as an incentive, that all bonuses will be approved and paid in due time, provided they meet their target.
“Together, we can build a fairer, stronger, and more sustainable revenue system for Ghana.”
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, Finance Minister
The commissioners of the Domestic Tax Revenue for the various divisions were excited to welcome the Minister and assured Dr Forson that while the visit was timely and motivating, the teams would perform up to expectations and even more. The Chairman of the GRA Workers Union, Theophilus Ehun, also guaranteed the staff’s commitment and diligence to achieve the targets set for them.
According to Dr Ato Forson, Ghana is set for a new adventure in 2026, but requires all hands on the wheel to stir the nation into growth and prosperity. He urges all the nation-building stakeholders, the government and citizens, to support each other. As the government makes the right policies and implementation framework, agencies must enforce, while citizens comply for the betterment of the country.
The random visits will continue, as they aim to encourage revenue workers to boost compliance for improved outcomes. He concluded that it is the collective zeal and commitment of all that will build the Ghana we all want.
READ ALSO: ECG Vows to Keep Lights On Despite Insufficient Tariff Adjustment
