Tax Analyst with Ali Nakyea & Associates, William Demitia is urging the government to tackle the fundamental issues that hinder revenue mobilization if it is to achieve set targets for this year and beyond.
His comments come on the back of a rotation exercise carried out at the GRA which has affected more than one thousand employees including three Commissioners.
The Finance Ministry maintains that the move is expected to block revenue leakages and expand the tax net.
According to Mr. William Demitia, though the changes at the hierarchy may be backed by empirical evidence, there is the need to review issues such as revenue targets that influence tax mobilization.
“We need to ask further questions whether the rotation is enough or there is the need to look at the institution as a whole and find out whether it is working efficiently so as to ensure it works efficiently. I think it is a good step but in my view, the reforms should go beyond moving the heads of the GRA,” he told Citi Business News in an interview.
Per the move by the government, three Commissioners have been rotated.
They are; the Commissioners for Domestic Tax collection, Customs Division and Support Services Division.
Amongst the reasons for the action has been the shortfall in revenue of about 3.5 billion cedis for the past two years now.
Mr. Demitia maintains that despite assurances that the new personnel may be contributing to meeting the targets, the Ministry of Finance and allied institutions must also work to tackle other teething issues that may interfere in their work.
“If one doesn’t know the structure of the GRA itself which is key and its weaknesses, you may bring in the best of policies but it may not achieve the desired results,” he added.
The mandate of the newly appointed Commissioners include; Modernising and digitising tax processes and systems, Introducing big data and block chain technologies to improve compliance as well as enhance staff integrity and anti-corruption measures.
CBN
