2012 revenue targets challenging-GRA

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) says though the Authority’s revenue collection target for the 2012 fiscal year is challenging, it is hopeful that with appropriate strategies, hard work and resilience of the staff it is achievable.

Commissioner-General of the GRA Mr. George Blankson said: “Even though challenging, it is my hope that with the support and understanding of our taxpayers and the hard work and resilience of its staff, achieving the target is not beyond the GRA.”

The GRA has been tasked to collect GH¢11. 66billion for the 2012 fiscal year -- which is 28.3 percent above the 2011 collection.

B&FT has gathered that this year the GRA is seeking to improve performance through a number of interventions including: audit of large taxpayers, quick examination of submitted returns, recovery of tax arrears, and effective tracking and interception of smuggled goods.

Other strategies are enhancing operations of the rapid deployment force, regular external inspection to ensure payment of taxes by operators in the informal sector, and conscious monitoring of undervaluation and under-declaration of importers.

Mr. Blankson made this statement in Accra at the Authority’s maiden awards ceremony aimed at, among other objectives, motivating corporate taxpayers and encouraging other taxpayers to emulate their example. It was also to encourage GRA members of staff who had excelled not to rest on their laurels.

“It takes ingenuity, hard work and dedication to mobilise huge amounts of tax revenue. Therefore, as we in the GRA performed so well last year, it is appropriate to celebrate the persons, staff and taxpayers alike who contributed to the success chalked up,” he said.

Minister for Finance and Economic Planning Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, in a speech read on his behalf, commended the GRA for exceeding its 2011 revenue target by 15.4 percent.

GRA in 2011 collected GH¢8.7billion, exceeding the target by GH¢1.16billion, given a positive variance of 15.4 percent. The 2011 collection performance is 46.6 percent over the actual collection performance for 2010.

Dr. Duffuor said: “This remarkable achievement by the GRA in 2011 enabled country’s tax revenue /GDP ratio -- which dropped to 12.7 percent in the wake of the re-basing of the economy in 2010 -- to grow to 15.9 percent in 2011.

“Business owners in the informal sector who were outside the tax net but made reasonable income must voluntarily comply by filling their tax returns and paying their taxes.

“Similarly, importers and travellers should ensure that they put in genuine declaration and pay their custom duties to contribute to the country’s development.”

Dr. Duffuor remarked that the GRA must continually engage all taxpayers and potential taxpayers, particularly informal sector operators including importers and travelers, to as well honour their tax obligations.

The award ceremony saw 11 corporate bodies and 14 employees of Authority been honoured for distinguishing themselves in the payment and collection of taxes in the country.
Out of the 10 companies who were awarded, Newmont Gold Ghana Limited and Ghana Cement (GHACEM) emerged as the best taxpayers and were presented with prizes and citations.

The Most Improved Taxpayer’s award went to Plant Medical while Diamond Cement as well received the Best Taxpayer in the customs Division with GCNet and GIZ winning the Taxpayers/Stakeholder awards.

Other award winners were Olam Ghana Limited, Guinness Ghana Breweries, Nestle Ghana Limited, Vodafone Ghana Limited, and Scancom Ghana Limited.

Staff members who received awards included, Alhaji Yusif Ibrahim as the Best Manager (Customs Division); Abdul Rahim Swala, Best Manager (The Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD Indirect); and Nana Esi Adade Amankwah won the Best Manager DTRD Direct with Best Manager, Support Services Division going to Ernest Asare.

Others are Best Senior Officer Custom Division, Mark Ambrose; Best Senior Officer, DTRD Indirect, Deidu Abudu; Best Senior Officer, Support Services, Gad Kojo Baah; and Best Senior Officer, Commissioner-General’s Secretariat, Millicent A. Wormegah.

The rest are Best Junior Officer (Custom Division) Joseph Eshun; Best Junior Officer, DTRD Indirect, Victoria Fynn; Best Junior officer, DTRD Direct, Yvonne Osei; Best Junior Officer, Support Services Division, Joseph Asubeye; and Best Junior Officer, Commissioner General’s Secretariat, Patrick Ampofo.