The Ghana Revenue Authority Workers’ Union (GRAWU) has heavily descended on the Vice President and the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Alhaji Bawumia for accusing them of over burdened businesses with numerous taxes.
During a meeting with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Accra, Dr. Bawumia stated that GRA has set a unrealistic targets for officers to harrass businesses with taxes.
Reacting to the claim, the Ghana Revenue Authority Workers’ Union in a press release said the statement by the vice president is unfortunate and consider it as an attack on the efforts of the hard-working staff of the Authority which disrupt revenue collection efforts and breed industrial disharmony.
“We would like to state unequivocally that, we the workers of GRA find this statement unfortunate and consider it as an attack on the efforts of the hard-working staff of the Authority which if not discontinued, would incur the displeasure of workers, disrupt revenue collection efforts and breed industrial disharmony.” They said.
According to them, it is strange that Dr. Bawumia is making such statement because annual targets are assigned to the Authority by the government through the Ministry of Finance.
“It is strange that the Vice President, who also doubles as the Head of the Economic Management Team could suggest that the Authority gives itself unrealistic targets while he is well aware that annual targets are assigned to the Authority by the government through the Ministry of Finance” Part of the release read.
PRESS RELEASE
We have observed and listened with ulter dismay and disbelief reports on social media platforms regarding pronouncement made by the Vice President to that effect that “GRA is harrassing taxpayers nad businesses.” We therefore wish to respond as follows:
We would like to state unequivocally that, we the workers of GRA find this statement unfortunate and consider it as an attack on the efforts of the hard-working staff of the Authority which if not discontinued, would incur the displeasure of workers, disrupt revenue collection efforts and breed industrial disharmony.
2. We wish to place on record that the unprecedented growth in Tax revenue collected in 2023 which yielded in excess of GHS113bn is a major factor that has kept Ghana in the IMF bailout program. It is also an undeniable fact that the GRA since the 2020 fiscal year met and in some cases exceeded the annual revenue targets despite the challenges in COVID-19.
3. It is strange that the Vice President, who also doubles as the Head of the Economic Management Team could suggest that the Authority gives itself unrealistic targets while he is well aware that annual targets are assigned to the Authority by the government through the Ministry of Finance,
4. Additionally, we wish to stress that The GRA administers tax in accordance with laws enacted by parliament of Ghana and not base on the whims and caprices of the workers.
5. We also call on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the GRA Board, Civil Society organizations and all well-meaning Ghanaians to admonish political functionaries to desist from making such pronouncements and intervene swiftly as this statement poses a major risk to revenue mobilisation efforts going forward.
6. What we need as workers of GRA is policy direction and incestment necessary for the transformation of GRA into a world class Revenue Administration.
7. We implore all workers in the Authority to remain calm and go about their daily duties professionally as alwas and to be rest assured leadership would do its best to safeguard and protect them at all times.
8. Finally, we call on all persons to file their personal and/or coperate annual income tax returns for 2023 Year of assessment as well as pay their taxes faithfully via our online platforms: www.taxpayersportal.com or www.ghana.gov.gh.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.com
