Commissioner-General of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Mr. George Blankson has articulated the authority’s plan to collect Ghc27.56 billion in revenue for the national coffers for this year-2016.
Domestic direct revenue is expected to bring in Ghc11.513 billion, domestic indirect revenue is to bring in Ghc5.916 billion while Ghc10.159 billion is expected in customs revenue.
Speaking at a media soiree held in Accra, the Commissioner General expressed his delight in the feat the Authority achieved last year which included the Authority exceeding its tax mobilization target of Ghc21.57 billion for 2015.
According to the Commissioner General the media played a very vital role in the duties and responsibilities of the Authority. According to him the relationship of his office and the media has to deepen to enable a more effective collaboration between the sides.
He said “you have been instrumental in ensuring that the activities of the Authority are heard throughout the country”
He said the GRA considered the media a true partner in the task of revenue mobilization and the development of the country.
Mr. Blankson posited that, despite the challenges faced in the economy last year, the Authority collected Gh22.17 billion, giving an optimistic deviation of Ghc620 million.
According to the commissioner general, the 2015 revenue mobilization performance showed a significant growth of Ghc5.014 billion, representing 29.3 percent over the previous years’ for both locally manufactured and imported goods to further improve the administration of excise tax.
Asked about the Common External Tariff (CET) which has caused a lot of agitation from some quarters of the business sector, the commissioner general said it would become operational from this month-March and is expected to bring the country in harmony with other ECOWAS countries in the issuance of tariff.
Despite the various challenging phases tax reforms and tax administration has faced in the country, GRA has been engaged over the years to position itself to conform to international best practices thus making them less cumbersome and user friendly.
