The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has pushed back against claims that its intensified tax enforcement disproportionately targets local businesses, arguing the outcome reflects the structure of the economy rather than policy bias.
Assistant Commissioner for Enforcement in the Accra Central Area, Joseph Adjeikwei Annan, said the drive aims to improve compliance and broaden the tax base, not single out indigenous enterprises.
“Local businesses make up the bulk of businesses in Ghana, so enforcement actions will naturally affect more of them,” Annan explained. “It’s not that we’re targeting our own; it’s just that there are more local businesses out there.”
The GRA has intensified tax law enforcement, warning that businesses breaching tax obligations could face severe sanctions, including arrest and prosecution. The move aims to tighten compliance and improve revenue mobilisation.
Meanwhile, the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana (IEAG) expects the cost of doing business at ports to reduce significantly from next year, following government’s tax relief measures.
The removal of the COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy and Electronic Transfer Levy, plus a VAT rate reduction from 21.9% to 20%, will lower transaction costs.
“The tax reforms are a major boost for businesses, especially import and export operators,” said IEAG Executive Secretary Samson Asaki Awingobit. “We’ll pass the benefits to consumers through reduced prices.”
