Shift from intimidation to persuasion – Okyere Baafi advises GRA

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Michael Okyere Baafi, Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, has emphasised the need for the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to rethink its current approach to tax collection, urging the authority to shift from methods perceived as intimidating to a more persuasive and collaborative strategy.

His remarks were made during a speech at the National Sales Leaders Conference held in Accra on Wednesday, August 14.

Mr. Baafi’s comments come against the backdrop of ongoing concerns raised by the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in the Ashanti Region about the treatment they receive from officials of the Customs Division of the GRA.

According to GUTA members in the Ashanti region, there has been a consistent pattern of discrimination and intimidation, which they say has created a strained relationship between the business community and the tax authorities.

Addressing these issues, the Deputy Minister highlighted the importance of adopting a more strategic approach to tax collection.

He argued that the GRA’s current tactics, which often involve heavy enforcement and an adversarial stance, are counterproductive and alienate taxpayers, ultimately reducing the effectiveness of revenue collection efforts.

The Deputy Minister stressed that the time has come for the GRA to transition from a purely enforcement-focused institution to one that sees itself as an integral part of the broader economic system.

“One of the board meetings that I attended at the Ghana Revenue Authority, I was sharing a view with the board members that it is high time the GRA as an institution moved away from enforcement to being part and parcel of the system.

“So that they can see the taxpayer as somebody who is important to government business so they have to pamper them and get the attention to get more. By that, we are sure we will be able to generate or get a lot of revenue for the state.”

 

By:  Sara Appiah

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