News Guide Africa

Tag: Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA)

  • GRA moves to resolve Ghana.gov tax payment disruptions

    GRA moves to resolve Ghana.gov tax payment disruptions

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has moved to address intermittent technical challenges affecting the payment of taxes through the Ghana.gov payment platform, assuring taxpayers and other stakeholders that efforts are underway to restore normal services.

     

    The disruption, which began on Friday, August 14, 2026, has affected payment transactions initiated through the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), and Ghana Integrated Tax Management and Information System (GITMIS).

     

    In a press release issued on August 20, the GRA said the technical difficulties were being resolved and stressed that the problem was limited to payment processing.

     

    “The intermittent technical challenges affecting payment of taxes through the Ghana.gov payment platform are being resolved,” the Authority said.

    The GRA explained that while the payment platform remains operational, some transactions may experience delays before payments are processed or reflected on taxpayers’ respective online portals.

     

    Tax filing unaffected

     

    The Authority was quick to distinguish the payment disruption from tax filing, reassuring taxpayers that the filing of tax returns has not been affected.

    “The technical challenge relates specifically to payment processing and does not affect the filing of tax returns,” the GRA stated.

     

    This clarification is expected to provide relief to taxpayers, importers, clearing agents and businesses that continue to use the affected systems for their statutory tax obligations.

     

    According to the Authority, taxpayers may still encounter situations where completed payment transactions do not immediately appear on their portals because of delays within the payment-processing system.

    Technical interventions underway

    The GRA said it is working with relevant technical partners to resolve the problem, with technical interventions already underway.

     

    “The matter is being treated with the highest priority,” the Authority said, adding that outstanding payment transactions would be processed and reflected on taxpayers’ portals once the system is fully normalised.

     

    The assurance comes at a time when businesses and importers rely heavily on digital government platforms to complete tax and customs-related transactions, making the uninterrupted operation of electronic payment systems critical to commercial activity.

     

    The GRA further assured stakeholders that measures were being implemented to address affected transactions and minimise additional disruptions.

    “All necessary measures are being taken to address affected transactions and minimize further disruptions,” the Authority said.

     

    GRA appeals for patience

     

    The Authority appealed to taxpayers and other stakeholders for patience and understanding while technical teams work to restore full functionality.

     

    “The GRA regrets any inconvenience caused and appreciates the patience and understanding of taxpayers and stakeholders,” the statement said.

    The Revenue Authority also indicated that it would provide further information as necessary as efforts to resolve the technical challenge continue.

     

    For taxpayers whose payments have been delayed or have not yet appeared on their portals, the GRA’s position is that affected transactions will be processed and duly reflected once normal payment processing has been restored.

     

    The development underscores the growing importance of reliable digital infrastructure to Ghana’s tax administration system, particularly as the country continues to rely on integrated electronic platforms for tax filing, customs administration and payment processing.

     

    The statement was issued by the GRA’s Communication and Public Affairs Department on August 20, 2026.

     

     

  • Understanding Ghana’s new Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) ….A simple guide to ITAS — what it is, why it matters, and what it means for every Ghanaian taxpayer

    Understanding Ghana’s new Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) ….A simple guide to ITAS — what it is, why it matters, and what it means for every Ghanaian taxpayer

    Every day, thousands of Ghanaians benefit from the roads we use, the hospitals we visit, the schools our children attend, and the public services that keep our communities running. Much of this infrastructure and these services are funded through tax revenue. Yet, for many taxpayers, the process of paying taxes has not always matched the smooth, modern services those taxes help provide.

    Consider Akosua, a fabric trader at Makola Market. She wants to do the right thing: register her business, keep accurate records, and set aside money to meet her tax obligations. However, when it is time to file, she finds herself moving between different counters and systems: one process for Value Added Tax (VAT), another for withholding tax obligations. Each process is disconnected from the next, with no single place to view what she owes or what she has already paid.

    Akosua’s experience reflects a wider challenge the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has identified and is addressing through the introduction of a new digital platform: the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS).

    What is ITAS?

    In simple terms, ITAS is a single digital platform that brings together the core functions of tax administration, including taxpayer registration, filing of returns, payment processing, compliance management, audit, enforcement, and reporting.

    Think of it like the difference between keeping your money in several different accounts at several different banks, each with its own passbook and its own queue, versus having one account that shows you everything at a glance. That is the shift ITAS represents for tax administration in Ghana.

    Historically, tax administration within GRA’s Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD) relied on manual processes and several standalone legacy systems. Although these systems served their purpose for many years, they also created fragmented taxpayer data, limited integration, duplicated processes, and operational inefficiencies. These challenges affected both GRA’s ability to make timely, informed decisions and taxpayers’ experience in meeting their obligations. ITAS replaces this fragmented domestic tax administration landscape with one modern, scalable platform and gives every taxpayer a single profile for managing their tax affairs.

    A Journey Years in the Making

    ITAS is not a sudden idea. It is the product of a long and deliberate process shaped by GRA’s broader digital transformation agenda and its strategic ambition to become a world-class revenue administration. A key objective of this agenda is to support Ghana’s goal of increasing the tax-to-GDP ratio to 20%.

    The journey began in 2019, when GRA initiated the procurement of two separate systems: one for general tax administration and another dedicated to VAT. Vendors submitted proposals for both systems, and the required approvals were secured from the Public Procurement Authority. However, during the evaluation stage, a recommendation emerged that changed the course of the project: instead of building two separate systems, GRA should adopt the global best practice of implementing a single, comprehensive platform covering all tax types.

    GRA accepted the recommendation. The two original tenders were cancelled, and the Authority partnered with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to jointly develop the requirements for one unified system. Together, GRA and the IMF produced comprehensive Terms of Reference for a Commercial-Off-The-Shelf ITAS solution, which was reviewed and approved by GRA’s Top Management. The proposed system provided for online filing and payment, paperless and fully automated processes, multi-channel service delivery, real-time data processing, data-driven decision-making, and risk-based compliance management based on taxpayers’ compliance history.

    This approach builds on a model GRA has already proven elsewhere in the Authority. The Customs Division operates the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), which streamlines Customs processes, reduces costs, and improves trade facilitation. In a similar way, ITAS is DTRD’s end-to-end system for domestic tax administration, designed to replace fragmented, manual processes with one integrated platform. As ITAS matures, GRA envisions closer integration between domestic tax and customs operations, bringing the two systems into greater alignment over time.

    Why ITAS Matters

    ITAS matters because an automated, integrated tax system strengthens how a country collects revenue, serves taxpayers, and manages compliance.

    GRA’s broader digitization drive has been building toward this moment. This includes the modernization of its technology infrastructure and data centre, the adoption of Microsoft 365 productivity tools across its workforce, and the move toward a Cashless GRA through Ghana.gov. Cashless goes beyond Ghana.gov. ITAS is the centrepiece of this transformation: a system designed to help GRA support the objective of achieving a 20% tax-to-GDP ratio, a benchmark that reflects a tax administration operating at full strength.

    Every gap an outdated or disconnected system leaves behind is a gap in revenue collection and that gap has real costs. It can mean slower services for taxpayers, missed opportunities to detect fraud or non-compliance, and less money available for the schools, hospitals, and infrastructure projects that depend on government revenue. An integrated system closes that gap. It gives GRA real-time visibility into compliance across the country, supports better risk assessment and more targeted enforcement, and reduces the manual processes that can introduce errors or delayed decisions.

    ITAS is also designed to be taxpayer-centric, giving every business and individual the ability to file, pay, and track their obligations digitally through web portals, mobile applications, and other self-service channels without needing to visit a GRA office in person for every transaction. This reduces the time taxpayers spend complying with their obligations and makes meeting them easier than avoiding them.

    How ITAS Works

    ITAS is built around a set of core features agreed jointly by GRA and the IMF, each addressing a specific weakness in the old way of doing things.

    Taxpayer-centred, self-service design. ITAS enables taxpayers to file returns and make payments electronically, access their tax information through web portals and mobile platforms, and reduce reliance on manual paperwork and in-person visits.

    Paperless and fully automated processes. By removing manual steps wherever possible, ITAS reduces the risk of error, speeds up processing, and gives GRA timely, accurate data to support its decisions.

    Multi-channel service delivery. Taxpayers are not limited to a single way of interacting with GRA. ITAS supports multiple digital channels, so taxpayers can choose what works best for them.

    Real-time data processing. Transactions are processed and analyzed as they happen, rather than in batches after the fact, enabling faster, better-informed decision-making.

    Data-driven decision-making. ITAS allows GRA to analyze patterns across the system and make more informed choices about tax policy, risk, and enforcement priorities.

    Risk-based compliance management. Rather than treating every taxpayer the same, ITAS segments taxpayers according to their risk profile and compliance history, allowing GRA to focus enforcement attention where it is genuinely needed, while reducing disruption for compliant taxpayers.

    Looking ahead, a fully implemented ITAS is expected to integrate with the National Identification Authority for individual registration how? and the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) for the registration of companies and organisations. It will also support core functions such as returns processing, taxpayer accounting, revenue accounting, refunds, case management, audit, objections, and appeals.

    Plans are also in place to eventually connect ITAS with GRA’s other digital initiatives, including E-VAT, E-Commerce, Stamp Duty, and a central data warehouse. Over time, these connections will help bring the different strands of Ghana’s tax administration into a single, coherent picture.

    Where Things Stand

    ITAS is being rolled out in carefully managed phases, beginning with a pilot involving selected taxpayers and GRA offices.

    The pilot phase commenced on 1 April 2026 at the Kaneshie Taxpayer Service Centre. Selected taxpayers from the Large Taxpayer Office were later onboarded onto the system. The current phase covers the filing and payment of four tax types: Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Value Added Tax (VAT), VAT Withholding, and Withholding VAT.

    This phased approach is deliberate. Rather than moving the entire country onto a new system overnight, GRA is testing, learning, and refining ITAS with a defined group of taxpayers and tax types before expanding further. This carefully staged rollout, similar in discipline to the implementation of ICUMS, will help ensure that ITAS remains a stable and effective system for domestic tax administration.

    What This Means for You

    If you are a taxpayer currently within the pilot’s scope for example, at the Kaneshie Taxpayer Service Centre or as part of the Large Taxpayer Office ITAS already means a more modern, self-service way of meeting your tax obligations.

    If you are not yet part of the pilot, ITAS is still relevant to you. As the rollout expands, more tax types and more taxpayers will be brought onto the platform. The system is designed so that every taxpayer in Ghana can eventually manage their tax affairs through one unified system, rather than through the fragmented processes of the past.

    It is worth noting that ITAS is a tool for administering tax more efficiently. It is not a mechanism for introducing new taxes. What it changes is how your existing obligations are filed, paid, and tracked, not what you owe.

    How to Prepare

    You do not need to wait for the full rollout to start preparing. Taxpayers can take the following practical steps now:

    ● Make sure your taxpayer registration details with GRA are accurate and complete.

    ● Familiarise yourself with GRA’s existing digital channels, as these form the foundation on which ITAS builds. – All taxpayers file on GITMIS currently

    ● If you fall within one of the tax types currently covered by the pilot — PAYE, VAT, VAT Withholding, or Withholding VAT — take time to understand the new filing and payment process.

    ● Contact your nearest Taxpayer Service Centre for assistance where needed.

    ● Refer to the ITAS User Manual on the Authority’s website and tutorial videos on the GRA YouTube channel for additional guidance.

     

    The success of ITAS will depend on the collective support, adaptability, and commitment of both GRA staff and taxpayers as the Authority transitions into a fully digital tax environment. A system designed to make compliance easier will deliver its full value only when taxpayers actively engage with it.

    Ultimately, taxation is not simply an obligation handed down from above. It is a shared mechanism through which a country builds its future. ITAS represents a significant milestone in GRA’s transformation journey and a meaningful step toward a more efficient, transparent, and taxpayer-centred tax administration system for every Ghanaian.

    By: Public Education & Media Relations Unit

    Ghana Revenue Authority

     

  • Beyond the Counter: Ghana’s new digital system is reshaping the taxpayer experience

    Beyond the Counter: Ghana’s new digital system is reshaping the taxpayer experience

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    Every morning at Makola Market, trader Akosua Mensah opens her fabric stall surrounded by the vibrant buzz of Accra’s commercial heart.

    She takes pride in doing business the right way, paying her suppliers, keeping manual ledgers, and striving to meet her national obligations. Yet, until recently, fulfilling those obligations meant stepping into a maze of fragmented bureaucracy.

    “In the past, ensuring full tax compliance meant hours spent traveling between different offices and managing stacks of paper files,” Mensah recalls. “One process for VAT, another for withholding tax each handled at different counters with no single place to see what you owed or what you had paid. It took critical time away from running the stall.”

    Mensah’s long-standing frustration points to a systemic challenge the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is now actively dismantling. Through the introduction of its Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), the GRA is executing a fundamental shift: moving away from decades of disconnected legacy processes and toward a unified, taxpayer-centric digital portal.

    The multi-year journey to ITAS reflects a deliberate drive toward modernizing Ghana’s domestic tax landscape, supporting the national ambition to raise the tax-to-GDP ratio to 20%. Rather than building separate systems for different tax types, the GRA partnered with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to procure a single, commercial-off-the-shelf platform capable of managing the full taxpayer lifecycle from registration and filing to auditing and refunds.

    “It is the digital equivalent of consolidating multiple bank accounts across different branches into a single online view,” explains a spokesperson for the GRA’s Public Education & Media Relations Unit. “ITAS replaces a fragmented landscape with one secure profile for every taxpayer, bringing real-time transparency to domestic tax administration.”

    The platform is currently undergoing a phased rollout. Following an initial launch at the Kaneshie Taxpayer Service Centre on 1 April 2026, the pilot was expanded to include selected entities within the Large Taxpayer Office, initially focusing on four key tax types: Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Value Added Tax (VAT), VAT Withholding, and Withholding VAT.

    For tax administrators, the upgrade provides critical visibility into compliance trends and risk management, allowing enforcement teams to operate with data-driven precision rather than broad administrative sweeps.

    “By adopting risk-based compliance and real-time data processing, ITAS allows us to focus our resources where risk is genuinely high, while providing a seamless, paperless experience for compliant citizens,” says a senior official with the GRA’s Domestic Tax Revenue Division.

    Crucially, tax authorities are emphasizing that this technological evolution alters the delivery mechanism of public finance, not the underlying fiscal policy.

    “It is critical for the public to understand that ITAS does not introduce new taxes or increase existing rates,” clarifies a Lead Project Coordinator for the ITAS Implementation Team. “It simply modernises how existing taxes are filed, paid, and tracked. As we gradually expand the pilot to integrate with the National Identification Authority and the Office of the Registrar of Companies, ITAS will set a new benchmark for public sector efficiency.”

    Back at Makola Market, the human impact of that efficiency is clear. For taxpayers like Mensah, the transition to self-service digital channels means fewer hours lost to queues and more time spent contributing to the local economy.

    “A simplified platform where we can check balances and file returns online gives small business owners clarity,” Mensah says. “When the process is straightforward, doing your part for the country feels less like a burden and more like a shared investment.”

     

  • Tech reforms drive historic GH¢6.1bn revenue surge in July …Asantehene urges expansion into informal sector

    Tech reforms drive historic GH¢6.1bn revenue surge in July …Asantehene urges expansion into informal sector

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed 

     

    Tech-driven customs reforms have propelled the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to a record-breaking GH¢6.1 billion revenue collection for July 2026, even as traditional authority calls for broader tax net expansion into the informal economy.

    The milestone follows the full April 2026 deployment of the Publican Artificial Intelligence (AI) trade valuation platform. The modern system has boosted customs revenues significantly from a pre-deployment monthly average of roughly GH¢4 billion.

    Detailing the financial gains during a delegation visit to the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi, GRA Commissioner-General Dr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong emphasized the upward trajectory of national revenue mobilization.

    “The full implementation started in April 2026. So, between April and June, we are happy to report, and as the Finance Minister, Dr. Ato Forson, also echoed in Parliament, that we are collecting about GH¢1.3 to GH¢1.5 billion a month in addition to what we used to collect,” Dr. Sarpong stated.

    “Before the implementation, we were collecting about GH¢4 billion a month. As of June, we were collecting GH¢5.5 billion. In the month of July, we collected GH¢6.1 billion, which means that our custom reforms are working,” he added.

    Expand Net to Informal Workers, Plug Revenue Leakages

    Welcoming the delegation, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, commended the revenue authority’s leadership for visible improvements in revenue mobilization while urging them to broaden their focus beyond formal sector employees.

    “The focus has always been on workers in the formal sector, while there are many others in the informal sector who can be educated on the need to pay taxes to support national development,” the Asantehene stated.

    To bring informal workers seamlessly into the tax fold and reduce reliance on external borrowing, the King recommended organizing informal operators into structured bodies.

    “Groups such as hairdressers, mechanics, and drivers could be encouraged to form cooperatives to make it easier for them to be integrated into the tax system,” Otumfuo Osei Tutu II suggested, while cautioning that structural leakages must also be eliminated. “I have observed an improvement in revenue collection since the current Board and Management took over… Despite these gains, some leakages still exist, and I urge you to work at addressing them.”

    Stakeholder Engagement and the Next Phase of Reforms

    Addressing the Asantehene’s observations, GRA Board Chairman Ricketts Hagan reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to engaging stakeholders and easing the adoption of new compliance platforms.

    “There are new systems, including the Publican AI, which have been helping our efforts. I’m sure you heard noise about not being able to comprehend, but people are beginning to understand the system,” Mr. Hagan explained.

    Building on its customs automation successes, the GRA is currently scaling its digital strategy into retail taxation. The next phase centers on modernizing Value Added Tax (VAT) administration using real-time digital integration and automated transaction recording across commercial enterprises nationwide.

    “That is going to be a game changer in our VAT administration,” Dr. Sarpong noted, citing recently approved legislative support for point-of-sale system integration aimed at securing a transparent, tech-driven business environment for long-term economic growth.

     

  • Customs automation unlocks revenue growth as GRA reports historic GH¢6.1bn in July 

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    ​Ghana’s fiscal landscape is demonstrating strong resilience and enhanced efficiency following the successful integration of advanced technology into domestic revenue administration.

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) posted a record GH¢6.1 billion in customs revenue for July 2026, marking a significant leap from the monthly pre-deployment average of approximately GH¢4 billion.

    ​The substantial revenue growth follows the full implementation of the Publican Artificial Intelligence (AI) trade valuation platform in April 2026, a move designed to modernize trade facilitation, streamline customs processing, and boost fiscal transparency.

    ​Accelerating Monthly Yields

    ​Outlining the financial impact of the digital transformation during a briefing at the Manhyia Palace, Commissioner-General of the GRA, Dr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, highlighted the steady upward trajectory in monthly collections over recent quarters.

    ​“The full implementation started in April 2026. So, between April and June, we are happy to report, and as the Finance Minister, Dr. Ato Forson, also echoed in Parliament, that we are collecting about GH¢1.3 to GH¢1.5 billion a month in addition to what we used to collect.

    ​“Before the implementation, we were collecting about GH¢4 billion a month. As of June, we were collecting GH¢5.5 billion. In the month of July, we collected GH¢6.1 billion, which means that our custom reforms are working,” Dr. Sarpong stated.

     

    ​For international investors and commercial entities, the deployment of AI technology offers a more predictable, transparent, and standardized valuation framework at port entries, reducing operational bottlenecks and minimizing discretionary assessment risks.

    ​Strong Fiscal Fundamentals and Tech Expansion

    ​The fiscal gains form part of a broader macroeconomic stabilization effort aimed at enhancing domestic resource mobilization and establishing sustainable public finances. Building on the success of the customs automation, the GRA is preparing to scale its technology-first strategy into retail taxation.

    ​The upcoming phase will focus on modernizing the Value Added Tax (VAT) network through real-time digital integration and automated transaction recording across commercial enterprises nationwide.

    ​“That is going to be a game changer in our VAT administration,” Dr. Sarpong noted, referring to newly approved legislative backing for digital point-of-sale reporting system integration.

     

    ​The GRA’s systemic transition toward automated tax infrastructure signals a stable, transparent, and technology-driven business environment—key indicators for long-term direct investment and private sector expansion.

  • Technology-Driven ports reforms yield $300m revenue surge – Finance Minister reveals

    Technology-Driven ports reforms yield $300m revenue surge – Finance Minister reveals

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

     

    An artificial intelligence platform deployed across Ghana’s ports has generated more than $300 million in additional revenue over three months, reflecting the impact of technology-led compliance measures at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

    Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review in Parliament, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson explained that the Publican AI platform introduced by the Customs Division in March 2026 has significantly curbed trade misinvoicing and manual valuation loopholes.

    The automated verification system has driven a 17.5% increase in assessed import values, delivering a 17% rise in monthly customs revenue without adding new levies or increasing import volumes.

    Closing Leakages Without Raising Taxes

    Delivering the mid-year budget statement, Dr. Forson highlighted that technology-driven compliance tools have proven far more effective at boosting state coffers than hiking tax rates on businesses and citizens.

    “Since the introduction of these AI-powered customs reforms, monthly Customs revenue has increased by approximately 17 percent, reflecting stronger compliance, more effective enforcement, and significantly reduced leakages,” Dr. Forson told Parliament.

     

    The Finance Minister emphasized that the revenue growth was achieved alongside broad fiscal relief measures, including the abolition of several levies.

    “The results have been remarkable,” Dr. Forson stated. “Despite abolishing multiple taxes and introducing no new tax handles, non-oil tax revenue increased by 0.5 percent of GDP from 12.6 percent of GDP in 2024 to 13.1 percent of GDP in 2025. Simply put, Government collected more revenue even after abolishing nuisance taxes.”

    “The lesson is simple: better policy, stronger compliance, and smarter administration will always deliver more sustainable revenue than higher taxes.”

     

    How Publican AI Transforms Port Operations

    Before the deployment of AI-based verification, customs collections faced significant shortfalls caused by under-declaration of cargo, fraudulent misclassification using Harmonised System (HS) codes, and manual inspection bottlenecks at entry points such as Tema Port.

    The Publican AI system addresses these vulnerabilities by cross-referencing global supply chain data, historical trade trends, and live market pricing to flag suspicious shipments automatically. High-risk containers are flagged for targeted inspection, while compliant consignments move rapidly through automated clearings.

    To consolidate these gains, the Ministry of Finance has also recentralized the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB) into a single-window valuation node and restricted the transit of sensitive goods via land borders to direct port processing.

    Broader Macroeconomic Impact

    The $300 million revenue uplift forms part of a wider macroeconomic recovery outlined in the 2026 mid-year review. Real GDP growth reached 6.0% in the first half of the year, outperforming the initial target of 4.8%, while inflation dropped to 5.3%.

    Key drivers cited in the budget report included:

    ● Gross International Reserves: Reached five months of import cover, supported by $15 billion in foreign exchange inflows generated through the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) initiative.

    ● Debt Servicing Savings: Reduced interest payment overheads amounting to over GH¢15 billion due to exchange rate stabilization.

    ● Expenditure Control: Total first-half expenditure stood at GH¢143.7 billion (47.5% of the annual budget), keeping the overall fiscal deficit within target parameters.

    Parliamentary leaders praised the port technology results, with the Majority side hailing the integration of AI as a turning point for domestic revenue mobilization and institutional transparency in Ghana’s trade ecosystem.

     

  • Pirates, Poisons, and Power: Inside the desperate battle for Ghana’s troubled seas

    Pirates, Poisons, and Power: Inside the desperate battle for Ghana’s troubled seas

    By Adnan Adams Mohammed

    From illegal light fishing in Ada to toxic catch seizures in Tema and billion-cedi contraband busts, Ghana’s maritime frontiers face an unprecedented crisis; triggering aggressive naval crackdowns, historic conservation decrees, and the Fisheries Act 2025.

     

    Across Ghana’s 550-kilometer coastline and sprawling inland waterways, a high-stakes war for sovereignty, food security, and human survival is unfolding.

    Long plagued by maritime illegalities, overfishing, smuggling, and eco-degradation, the nation’s marine and inland aquatic resources are being stretched to breaking point.

    However, a sweeping surge of regulatory reforms, naval interventions, and historic conservation mandates signals an aggressive state fightback.

     

    1. Toxic catch & environmental warfare: The silent threat on dinner plates

    The crisis on the water is no longer just an ecological debate, it has breached public safety and consumer health.

    In Tema Newtown, a joint operation by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and national security agencies led to the confiscation of tons of contaminated fish that were heading into local markets.

    The interception followed serious warnings from regulatory authorities against consuming fish washed ashore or harvested around the Tema Shipyard following a suspicious mass fish-death incident.

    Simultaneously, artisanal fishing communities are grappling with severe plastic pollution and industrial waste dumping. In Ada, despite clear statutory bans, illegal light fishing remains rife, devastating juvenile fish stocks and wrecking the marine ecosystem.

    Civic groups and marine scientists are warning that chemical fishing, including the lethal use of DDT, carbide, and explosives constitutes a national emergency.

    “Protecting Ghana’s fisheries is directly bound to our health and human security,” warned an environmental health advocate during a coastal stakeholder summit. “When toxic chemicals and microplastics contaminate our ocean, we aren’t just losing fish stocks; we are poisoning our food supply chain and destroying livelihoods.”

     

    2. Piracy, smuggling, and high-seas crime: Navy intercepts billions in contraband

    While chemical fishing wrecks coastal ecology, organized criminal syndicates have targeted Ghana’s territorial waters as transit corridors for illicit trade and maritime piracy.

    In a landmark operation, the Ghana Coast Guard and Armed Forces executed a swift rescue operation off the coast, repelling a violent pirate attack on local fishermen. The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture praised the Armed Forces, reaffirming that maritime security remains non-negotiable.

    Meanwhile, multi-agency crackdowns at major ports and offshore bunkering routes have uncovered illicit operations of astonishing scale:

    GH₵3.6 Billion Tramadol Bust: The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) at Tema Port intercepted illegal shipments of tramadol valued at GH₵3.6 billion, halting a massive drug pipeline.

     

    Fuel Bunkering Syndicate Smashed: The Ghana Navy seized 8 vessels during a major offshore crackdown on illegal maritime fuel bunkering syndicates.

    Yet enforcement challenges persist. Concerns were raised after a suspicious vessel previously arrested in Ghanaian waters was strangely freed, only to be rearrested by Senegalese maritime authorities highlighting the need for tighter inter-state coordination and legal vigilance.

    In a separate distress incident along the coast, a heavy fishing vessel accidentally drifted off course onto La Beach near Accra, attracting crowds of onlookers and highlighting safety hazards faced by vessels operating between Takoradi and Tema.

     

    3. Premix shortages & internal exploitation: Inland fisheries under siege

    The crisis extends far inland. On Volta Lake, inland fishers struggle with dwindling catches, gear conflicts, and severe distribution bottlenecks for subsidized premix fuel.

    During an unscheduled enforcement tour to landing sites in Yeji, the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Emelia Arthur, issued a stern warning against illegal price hikes, artificial shortages, and fuel diversion by local Landing Beach Committees (LBCs).

    “The government-approved price for a gallon of premix fuel remains strictly regulated at GH₵200,” Hon. Emelia Arthur warned operators. “Any committee member or distributor who inflates prices beyond this ceiling or manipulates fuel volumes is committing a crime against the state and local fishers. We will pull you up and ensure the law takes its course.”

     

    Supporting the Minister’s stance, Hon. Emmanuel Kwadwo Ahiam (MP for Pru East) emphasized that subsidized fuel must reach the intended beneficiaries:

    “The premix fuel subsidy was created to relieve pressure on our fisherfolk. If LBCs and middle-men exploit local fishers for extortionate profits, it defeats the government’s purpose. We stand firmly with the Ministry to enforce price ceilings and transparent distribution.”

     

    Further south, experts like Prof. Aggrey-Fynn have recommended radical structural shifts to curb fuel diversion and illegal practices, calling on government to “scrap all minor, unregulated landing beaches” in favor of centralized, monitored harbour infrastructure.

     

    4. Major reforms: Act 2025, mandatory licensing, and the first Marine Protected Area

    To combat systemic overfishing and restore international credibility, Parliament passed the landmark Fisheries and Aquaculture Act 2025 (Act 1146) alongside the Maritime and Anti-Piracy Bill, providing legal firepower to prosecute sea crimes.

    Under the new policy regime:

    Mandatory Digital Licensing: The Fisheries Ministry announced the mandatory registration and licensing of all artisanal fishers.

     

    Closed Fishing Season Realignment: Responding to scientific studies including recommendations from the Sankofa Project stakeholders are aligning closed seasons with biological spawning cycles, with over 80% of local fishers now backing scientifically managed closed seasons.

     

    National Action Plan: Stakeholders are pushing for an updated National Action Plan against Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing to avoid yellow-card sanctions from international trading partners like the European Union.

    The defining moment in Ghana’s conservation strategy occurred at Cape Three Points. Invoking Section 39 of the Fisheries Act 2025, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang formally declared the Greater Cape Three Points Area as Ghana’s first-ever Marine Protected Area (MPA).

    Connecting over 21 coastal communities across Ahanta West and Nzema East in partnership with Hɛn Mpoano, the decree anchors Ghana’s commitments to achieve 100% sustainable ocean management by 2030.

    “Government is strongly committed to safeguarding Ghana’s marine resources as a cornerstone of our blue economy agenda,” declared Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang. “This initiative is not about restricting fishing communities, but about ensuring sustainable practices that allow marine ecosystems to regenerate, securing long-term food security.”

     

    “Protecting the ocean is ultimately about protecting our people,” the Vice President added. “Long-term success will depend on partnership, compliance, and shared responsibility across every coastal community.”

     

    5. Looking ahead: International trade & deep-sea diplomacy

    As internal enforcement tightens, Ghana is leveraging its marine potential globally. High-level bilateral engagements between the Fisheries Ministry and delegations from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have opened doors for sustainable fish exports and aquaculture investments. Meanwhile, consultations with UN delegations aim to safeguard the socio-economic rights of rural fishers amid rapid policy shifts.

    At the international level, Ghanaian diplomats and environmental leaders are actively contributing to global debates on deep-sea mining, asserting that ocean conservation must take precedence over unchecked seabed exploitation.

    With newly built infrastructure like the Jamestown Fishing Harbour being commissioned, the line in the sand is drawn. Ghana’s ocean is no longer a free-for-all frontier; it is a vital national security asset being reclaimed by law, conservation, and community vigilance.

     

     

  • GRA gives final warning to owners of smuggled cars ahead of massive road sweeps

    GRA gives final warning to owners of smuggled cars ahead of massive road sweeps

    By News Desk

     

    Time is running out for motorists driving illegally imported cars on Ghanaian roads. The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has issued a final reminder to owners and users of uncustomed vehicles across the country, urging them to immediately utilize the ongoing tax amnesty before the fast-approaching July 31 deadline.

    The two-month grace period, which took effect on June 1, offers vehicle owners whose cars were illegally imported or smuggled into the country the rare opportunity to regularize their documentation completely free of the hefty penalties usually associated with such infractions.

    Speaking on behalf of the Authority at a sensitization forum, Mr. David Agyakwa Mensah, a Senior Revenue Officer at the Customs Technical Services Bureau (CTSB) Vehicle Valuation Unit, highlighted that the initiative was rolled out by the Commissioner-General as a benevolent window to improve compliance under favorable conditions.

    “Under the amnesty arrangement, owners will only be required to pay the applicable import duties, while penalties associated with the seizure of uncustomed vehicles will be waived,” Mr. Mensah explained.

    He further appealed to the public, saying, “I encourage all affected vehicle owners to visit any Customs office across the country before the deadline to complete the regularization process. Take advantage of this initiative to avoid enforcement action after the amnesty period expires.”

     

    Ordinarily, the use of undocumented or uncustomed vehicles attracts stringent financial penalties and immediate forfeiture under national customs laws. However, the GRA has chosen to pivot toward a more collaborative, customer-centric model of tax administration to bridge the revenue gap.

    The Deputy Commissioner of GRA in charge of Operations, Daniel Edisi, noted that the authority has intentionally stepped away from aggressive tactics in favor of civil engagement.

    “It is now a bit of collaboration and education. Going forward, this is the strategy we are using and it is already gaining some advantages for us to be able to meet the target of the end of the year,” Mr. Edisi stated, describing the strategy as a modern, friendly approach to plugging revenue leakages.

     

    The initiative has also won the vital backing of major commercial stakeholders. The Vehicle and Assets Dealers Union of Ghana (VADUG) explicitly endorsed the GRA’s efforts, arguing that uncustomed cars severely disadvantage compliant businesses and warp local automobile prices.

    Frank Atanley, the General Secretary of VADUG, strictly advised vehicle sellers and drivers to comply before the gate shuts.

    “We stand with such programmes that will eradicate some of these cancers from our roads,” Mr. Atanley said. “It will not speak well on a dealer or a person who is selling vehicles that are undocumented. I think the GRA and the Customs Division have been very benevolent by giving people the room to rectify their wrongs. It is welcome news… People should take advantage of that amnesty to do the needful.”

     

    The GRA has firmly cautioned that the lenient posture will abruptly end when the calendar turns. Beginning August 1, the Customs Division’s preventive and enforcement units will launch comprehensive, unannounced checkpoints and road inspections nationwide to impound defaulting vehicles.

    Affected vehicle owners are strongly advised to report directly to the nearest Customs Collection office or the GRA Headquarters in Accra to have their vehicles assessed, cleared, and legally registered via the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS).

     

  • 4 Customs officials suspended in the thwarted 18-truck smuggling racket

    4 Customs officials suspended in the thwarted 18-truck smuggling racket

    The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has interdicted four of its customs officers following an investigation into an audacious attempt to illegally divert an 18-truck convoy of transit cargo into the local market.

    The decisive action is part of a sweeping internal crackdown aimed at rooting out institutional complicity, tightening border enforcement, and protecting the state from massive tax evasion.

     

    The interdictions stem from a high-stakes interception in February 2026, when customs officials halted the fleet of commercial trucks. The shipment had been officially declared as transit cargo originating from neighboring Togo and bound for Niger via the Akanu border. However, investigative authorities suspected that the shipment was being actively diverted into the local market to evade substantial state import duties and taxes.

    Addressing journalists at a media briefing on Tuesday, July 7, the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Sarpong, revealed the initial findings of the probe and confirmed that internal sanctions had commenced.

    “We have interdicted four officers who worked on the consignment, and we are going through our internal disciplinary processes to ensure that all officers found culpable are dealt with in accordance with our internal policies and the law,” Mr. Sarpong stated.

    The Commissioner-General emphasized that the GRA would not shield any personnel whose actions compromised the state’s economic interests.

    In a swift directive from the Ministry of Finance, the intercepted goods from all 18 trucks have been officially confiscated and reallocated to support the National School Feeding Programme.

    Mr. Sarpong assured the public and the legitimate trading community that the GRA’s Customs Division has significantly stepped up its border surveillance and compliance measures. He noted that cargo monitoring mechanisms have been tightened across major entry and exit points to ensure strict adherence to international transit regulations and to completely plug revenue leakages.

    Investigations into the cartels and logistics networks behind the attempted diversion are reportedly ongoing.

     

  • GRA Extends Tax Filing Deadline Following Severe Accra Floods

    GRA Extends Tax Filing Deadline Following Severe Accra Floods

    In a major relief move for businesses and individuals, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has officially extended the filing deadline for second-quarter taxes and May 2026 statutory returns. The decision, authorized by the Commissioner-General, comes in the wake of severe flooding caused by recent torrential rains across Accra and its surrounding areas.

     

    ​The extension covers second-quarter Corporate Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT), as well as May 2026 Value Added Tax (VAT), National Health Insurance Levy (NHIL), and Communications Service Tax (CST). Details of this directive were released in an official statement titled “GRA ANNOUNCES EXTENSION FOR FILINGS OF SECOND QUARTER CIT, PIT AND MAY 2026 VAT NHIL CST FOLLOWING HEAVY RAINS.pdf”.

     

    ​Relief Amid Disruptions

     

    ​Under normal circumstances and according to the standard tax calendar, these returns were due on or before the last working day of the month following the taxable period, making the original deadline Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

     

    ​However, acknowledging the severe disruptions the weather has caused to daily operations and transport, the GRA has pushed the deadline back to Monday, July 6, 2026, to support business continuity.

    ​”This extension is a targeted relief measure intended to assist taxpayers affected by the flooding to meet their tax obligations without incurring immediate penalties,” the Authority stated in the official release.

     

    ​Penalty Waivers and Digital Directives

     

    ​Taxpayers who successfully file their returns on or before the new July 6 deadline will not face any late filing penalties. The GRA clarified, however, that standard penalties will immediately apply to any returns submitted after the extended date.

    ​To minimize physical travel through flood-hit zones and prevent further delays, the Authority strongly encourages the public to utilize the official Taxpayer’s Portal and other available digital platforms to file their returns online.

     

    ​For businesses and individuals facing severe operational bottlenecks due to the floods, the GRA has advised contacting the nearest GRA Taxpayer Service Centre (TSC) or local tax office for dedicated assistance.

    ​Commitment to Business and Development

    ​Despite the temporary setback caused by the weather, the GRA re-emphasized its mandate to keep the country’s economic engines running.

     

    ​”The GRA remains committed to maintaining uninterrupted tax administration while supporting businesses during this difficult period and safeguarding the revenue needed for Ghana’s national development,” the statement concluded.