Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, has challenged revenue administrators across West Africa to strengthen and modernise their systems to raise more domestic resources to finance development.

Speaking at the 8th West African Tax Administration Forum (WATAF) High-Level Policy Dialogue, he said the responsibility of financing development across the region was significant but urged revenue authorities to view it as an opportunity to build stronger economies and institutions.

According to him, revenue administrators have a major role to play in shaping the economic future of the region, particularly as countries seek to mobilise more domestic resources to finance development.

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He said revenue authorities must therefore be prepared to rethink existing approaches and develop systems that are responsive to the changing needs of their economies and citizens.

“This is a charge of the past and it's a charge for a generation as revenue administrators. The task of financing our region's development is great indeed and heavy is the responsibility we carry, but it is equally a noble and glorious challenge,” he stated.

Sarpong urged revenue leaders to embrace the challenge with the determination to build revenue systems that reflect the aspirations of their citizens.

He said stronger and more efficient tax administration would be essential to improving domestic resource mobilisation and creating the fiscal space needed to support national development.

“Let us embrace it with the courage to dream of a West Africa that commands its own destiny, the courage to dare to build revenue systems worthy of our people's aspiration and the courage to achieve the fullness of the greatness of our nation,” he added.

Sarpong also called for stronger collaboration among revenue authorities in the region, stressing the need for countries to work together to address common challenges in domestic revenue mobilisation.

He said closer cooperation among tax administrations could help countries share experiences, strengthen institutional capacity and develop more effective approaches to revenue collection.

“Let us join hands and do it together,” he said, while expressing hope that the dialogue would lead to stronger partnerships among participating institutions.

The Commissioner-General's call comes as revenue authorities across the region continue to explore ways of improving tax administration and increasing the contribution of domestic revenues to national development.

The dialogue provided a platform for revenue and tax administration stakeholders to exchange ideas on the challenges facing domestic resource mobilisation and consider approaches to improving tax systems.

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The 8th WATAF High-Level Policy Dialogue brought together revenue and tax administration stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening domestic resource mobilisation and improving tax systems across the region.

DR/MA

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