Our Economy And Tax Evaders

Mr. George Blankson, Commissioner General of GRA. 

It cannot be denied that there are lapses and leakages in our revenue collection system as well as under invoicing and under declaration at almost all our revenue collection points, e.g. our ports, borders, airport and even our road tolls are not excluded.

We need to understand that these malpractices, lapses and leakages greatly affect our rapid development. How long are we going to depend on foreign partners to development our country?

Internal Generated Fund (IGF) is an important source of generating funds for development. Even though the manner in which revenue is generated in this country may not be the best, one can believe that those in charge of revenue collection are doing their best despite the numerous challenges facing them.

For every country to develop, it requires individuals and corporate institutions in that country to pay their respective taxes in order to help develop that nation to enhance the welfare of the citizens

It has been alleged several times that some staff of GRA connive with individuals and corporate institutions to dupe the country. It is incumbent on the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to make sure that all persons eligible to pay tax in this country fulfill this obligation; and also to undertake effective monitoring of the taxable base of the economy.

Studies indicate that in Ghana more than six million individuals and corporations are eligible to pay taxes. However, less than 2.5 million are currently paying taxes to the state. What has happen to the rest?

A special operations unit headed by the Chief of Staff, Prosper Bani revealed that a number of leading companies were allegedly evading taxes.

It is important to commend the government taskforce for going this far to recover some of the money lost to the state. However, the taskforce has a lot to do in order to expose all those evading taxes in this country, especially at the various ports, borders, airports and road tolls.

The Inspection companies must also be checked and monitored. No one is above the law in Ghana. Those evading taxes and denying Ghana the necessary resources for her development must be arrested and punished if possible deported. The law should not spare a single person, whether a citizen or non-citizen.

In nutshell, if our inspection agencies and GRA (CEPS division) at the Tema port (which is the gateway of the country) exercise the due diligence, more than 3/4th of the revenue losses will not occur which will be of a great support to the development agenda of the country especially during the current difficult times.

Government must take the necessary steps in this direction to lessen the plight of the citizens in this country to ensure growth.

 
NB: The writer is a past student of Bolgatanga Polytechnic Institute