When GRA is coming it's like terrorist is coming — Alhassan Andani criticises tax regime

Alhassan Andani, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Stanbic Bank, has sharply criticized the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), comparing its operations to that of a "terrorist organization" in its interactions with businesses.

He voiced serious concerns about the country's tax mobilization framework, arguing that it is stifling business growth and threatening the survival of companies.

Speaking at the Ghana CEO Presidential Gala Dinner in Accra, Andani called for immediate reforms to address the flaws in the tax system, stressing the need for a more business-friendly approach.

“The GRA has become a terrorist organization. I know a number of companies when GRA gets into their space, it's as if they deliberately do it to take money. It's true, Mr. Vice President, most of your CEO's when GRA is coming it's like some terrorist is coming. It's supposed to be you file what you projected to do for the year, and pay tax quarterly. But when they come, they just slap stuff on you with any new tax measures. We don't simplify and indeed merge and delete some taxes. The last time I was speaking to a business, they had thirty-three different taxes. We just have to rationalize it and give this very emerging capital, private sector people, space to breathe,” he said.

In a related development, Chairman of McDan Group of Companies, Dr. Daniel Mckorley also voiced concerns over government policies that he believes are negatively impacting business sustainability.

“If you want to do business in Ghana, then you have to be prepared. Being a Ghanaian doing business in Ghana, you have to be brave. Many times, it looks like we don't support our own. I have tasted it, I have slept with it, and I'm living with it, and it's quite dangerous and difficult. I always try to be honest with my business. It's about time we build strong indigenous businesses. If Ghana has ten top businessmen, how much did we take from IMF? My business can generate $3.2 billion for the government every year," he noted.