Over 150 shops in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, have been locked up by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) for failing to pay their taxes.

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The shops, located in areas such as Airport Roundabout, Asafo, and Amakom, were shut by the Ashanti New Town Taxpayer Service Centre as part of ongoing efforts to improve tax compliance in the region. The GRA says it took this action after the affected business owners ignored multiple notices and reminders to settle their tax debts.

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Chief Revenue Officer and Compliance Unit Head at the Ashanti New Town Taxpayer Service Centre, Henry Prince Gyan, said the operation became necessary due to the continuous refusal of some shop owners to honour their obligations.

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“At times, we realise they intentionally do not want to pay, so at times, we apply a little bit of force to put them in line. We sent them invitation letters earlier, before we locked up. Some have received the invitation letters, but they refuse to come. So, to go out and inform them about the operation, we will not,” he stated.

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Affected shop owners say they were shocked to find their stores padlocked, with GRA notices posted on their gates. Some claim they were not given prior notice about the exercise.

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But the GRA insists prior communication was made and revealed that some of the locked-up shop owners have already paid their arrears to get their businesses reopened. So far, the Authority has recovered at least GH₵200,000 through the exercise.

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The GRA says many of the defaulters blamed their inability to pay on low sales and other business challenges. However, the Authority remains concerned about the general unwillingness of some informal sector players to fulfil their tax responsibilities.

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The move forms part of broader efforts by the GRA to strengthen revenue collection and ensure fairness in the tax system.

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The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has set an ambitious GH₵200 billion revenue target for 2025, with Acting Commissioner-General Anthony Sarpong expressing confidence in the agency’s ability to meet the goal despite skepticism.

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Speaking on the target, Sarpong acknowledged the challenges but remained optimistic.

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“Indeed, it looks insurmountable on the face of it. But I believe that with determination, the right strategies, and teamwork, we will be able to meet this challenge,” he stated in an interview with ChannelOne Tv on the sidelines of the launch of the National Economic Dialogue, 2025.As it stands now,  the authority has made some progress by exceeding its revenue target of GH¢36 billion for the first quarter of the year, recording GH¢41 billion.

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