Bawumia didn't attack the integrity of GRA staff; he's trying to stop some GRA officers from harassing businessmen — Gideon Boako

Dr. Gideon Boako, the spokesperson for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has clarified the intention of Dr. Bawumia's comments regarding the alleged harassment of businesses by some Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) officers.

During a meeting with members of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, Dr. Bawumia highlighted the purported harassment of business owners by GRA officers.

He attributed the alleged harassment to unrealistic targets set by GRA officers, leading to pressure to squeeze more from existing businesses.

Bawumia said, “They are harassing businesses. That harassment is coming from the sort of targets that are created at their office. They are setting unrealistic targets. And this is because the tax base is so narrow, you say to them, 'this is your target for this month', and they are trying to figure out where do I go.”

“Then for them, it is very easy, you go back to where you had it the last time. You go to taxpayers, the people who are already paying taxes and then you have to come up with a new reason why they should pay more and so you come up with all sorts of stuff.”

However, the Vice President's remarks sparked a reaction from GRA staff who described his comments as undermining their efforts and putting their lives at risk.

In a press release, they expressed their disappointment, emphasizing their achievements in revenue collection in 2023, which exceeded GH₵113bn.

“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 hardworking staff of the Authority, which, if not discontinued, would incur the displeasure of workers, disrupt revenue collection efforts, and breed industrial disharmony.

“We wish to place on record that the unprecedented growth in Tax revenue collected in 2023, which yielded in excess of GH₵113bn, is a major factor that has kept Ghana in the IMF bailout program. It is also an undeniable fact that the GRA has since the 2020 fiscal year met and, in some cases, exceeded the annual revenue targets despite the challenges of COVID-19.

“The least we expect from the Vice President, if he would not appreciate the efforts of the Authority in raising Tax Revenue, is not to put the lives of our hardworking staff at risk with such unfortunate comments,” they added.

Addressing the issue on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Dr. Gideon Boako clarified that Dr. Bawumia's comments were not meant to attack the GRA workers but rather to address the reported harassment faced by businessmen from some GRA officers.

He emphasized the need for a fairer tax system to alleviate the burden on businesses.

"They have problems with a certain report, as if the Vice President says they are not doing their work effectively. I am saying that that is not what the Vice President said, and it must be settled that the Vice President did not impugn on the integrity of the GRA workers or suggest that the GRA workers aren't doing their job well.

"One thing is clear that Ghanaian businessmen have a problem with our tax system. One of the issues they have is what they describe as harassment from some officers of the Ghana Revenue Authority, and this is what the Vice President spoke about,” he explained.