Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Emmanuel Kofi Nti, has reiterated the Authority's commitment to reprimanding tax evaders, no matter their status in society. He cautioned the public, especially workers in the informal sector, to restrain from evading tax as their quota contributes to the national development agenda. Mr Kofi Nti, speaking at the launch of the 2018 National Tax Campaign in Accra today, presenting an overview of the country's tax performance, revealed that the informal sector, which constitutes 70% of the nation's economy, makes only about 2% contribution to revenue. Read: KelniGVG set to operate as GRA prepares to settle Subah with GHC200m "Even though the informal sector is the largest in terms of operators, its contribution to tax revenue is very negligible. Their contribution is sadly about 2%. This is clearly unacceptable." Mr Nti, on the reason for maintaining last year's theme 'Our taxes, Our future', explained that in 2017, the focus was on starting a national conversation about the issue of tax payment while this year's campaign aims at deepening and sustaining the conversation as well as recognizing the the relevance of tax payments.

He added that the two-month period set for last year's campaign did not effect the changes they hoped to see and hence, this year's six month multifaceted framework which will collaborate with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Information Service department, as well as media partners to achieve the goal of reaching a larger number of Ghanaians. He stressed on the need to inform and educate the Ghanaian public, saying people ought to understand that payment of tax is a civil duty and should be observed as such. Read: GRA touts CTN benefits " I believe without the contributions of citizenry in the form of tax payment, the good intentions of government will come to a halt. it is therefore the mark of good citizens to not only insist on their rights or what government should do for us but also carry out our part of the bargain by voluntarily undertaking the obligations of any citizen" He reiterated their commitment to embarking on various initiatives that serve to educate and sensitize the public on the need to continuously honor their tax contributions. Mr Nti outlined the various activities which will be undertaken during the six months of campaigning; some of which include community outreach and engagements, stakeholder engagement, radio and television discussions, dawn broadcasts, enforcement services as well as naming and shaming Tax protestors and resisters.

The GRA Commissioner urged citizens to recognize it as a civil duty to register new businesses and settle all outstanding tax. He also urged them to be law abiding and comply with all tax-paying requirements to escape being dealt with by the law. Remove all barriers & improve the ease of tax payment - Finance Ministry to GRA Addressing the house on behalf  of the Finance minister Ken Ofori-Atta, Deputy Minister Hon. Mrs. Abena Osei-Asare, acknowledged the positive contribution of the informal sector towards the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and national growth and advised its stakeholders to actively participate in revenue building to bridge the gap between the private and informal sector. Read: Give us time to comply with tax stamp AGI appeals to GRA Talking about measures that can be put in place to cultivate a tax-paying habit in citizens, the Mrs. Osei-Asare encouraged the GRA to take drastic measures if need be, all in the interest of national development.

"In as much as we encourage the informal sector to contribute their quota to national development in the form of paying taxes, how are you also making the payment of taxes easier for the informal sector? I will urge GRA to remove all the barriers and improve on the ease of paying taxes by citizens and by so doing, we can rope in a lot of people and widen the tax net." She pledged government's support to the Ghana Revenue Authority, in holding tax evaders accountable and said that good revenue performance will help government improve investment infrastructure and bring about nationwide growth.

Source: tigpost.co

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