The government has removed Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) officials accused of harassing businesses in a bid to encourage French companies to continue their operations in Ghana.
Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam made the announcement at the Annual Cocktail event with the French business community, held at the French Ambassador’s residence in Accra.
Dr. Amin Adam reassured the French Chamber of Commerce that the government is committed to addressing concerns raised by foreign investors regarding the business climate in Ghana.
He specifically addressed issues of harassment from tax collectors, assuring attendees that steps had been taken to ease such pressures.
“I want to appeal to you to continue to stay in Ghana because we are addressing all the issues that you have raised with me,” Dr. Amin Adam said. “Issues relating to taxes and harassment of businesses by tax collectors, you will notice, have been resolved. We’ve had to withdraw all the tax collectors who were allegedly harassing businesses from those centres of operation, and so you won’t see them anymore,” he added.
Hon. Mohammed Amin Adam, Ghana’s Minister of Finance @MoF_Ghana, honored us with his presence, emphasizing the strength of #France 🇫🇷 #Ghana 🇬🇭 economic relations. 🤝@JaAniambossou pic.twitter.com/HrWoDL0c3Y
— Ambassade de France au Ghana (@FranceandGhana) November 8, 2024
The GRA has been criticized in the past for aggressive tactics in tax collection, with some business leaders alleging that the authority’s high targets for officers have led to undue pressure on businesses. In March, New Patriotic Party Flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia blamed the harassment on unattainable targets set for tax officers, which he believes leads them to focus on already compliant businesses to meet quotas.
Business leaders in Ghana have expressed concerns about the challenges of operating in the country, particularly with the economic strain of high inflation, the depreciation of the cedi, and burdensome taxes.
Despite these challenges, the government remains determined to create a more conducive environment for foreign investment, with the removal of the tax collectors seen as a step in the right direction to rebuild confidence among international business partners.
