GRA poised to meet revised target for 2019 – Commissioner-General, GRA

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is poised to meet its revised target of GH¢42.1 billion by the close of the year.

The Commissioner General of GRA, Mr Amishaddai Owusu-Ansah during a familiarisation tour of Olam Ghana facilities here yesterday revealed the entity collected GH¢37.7 billion (customs and domestic including direct and indirect taxes) as at the end of November.

Mr Owusu-Ansah therefore encouraged all tax payers to honour their outstanding payments on time to enable government meet all its obligations.

Mr Owusu-Ansah who was accompanied by other officials of GRA visited the Nutrifoods Ghana Limited, Olams Grain factory and the PFB Tomato Processing Plant (in the free zone enclave), all subsidiaries of Olam Ghana.

The respective managers at the facilities conducted the Commissioner General of GRA and his entourage round their plants.

The visit is part of a programme to enable GRA understand its clients’ business and challenges in order to build rapport and influence policy formulation.

Mr Amishaddai Owusu-Ansah said the programme is also expected to help improve compliance level among the various players in the value chain.

Regarding business outlook for 2020 he said the Authority hoped to build partnership with tax payers to achieve more voluntary compliance.

“We are planning to introduce technology (VAT automation) in the payments of tax to eliminate delays, payment of tax through banks so clients do not have to necessarily travel to our offices,” he said.

Mr Owusu-Ansah stated that the GRA was also working to improve customer service, strengthen the integrity of its staff to ensure they were well motivated to achieve higher laurels.

FROM GODFRED BLAY GIBBAH, TEMA