The problem with taxation in Ghana lies in the area of revenue collections - resulting from the citizens' reluctance to pay or willingness to grossly evade. The Ghanaian culture, I mean the collective programming of the Ghana ... read full comment
The problem with taxation in Ghana lies in the area of revenue collections - resulting from the citizens' reluctance to pay or willingness to grossly evade. The Ghanaian culture, I mean the collective programming of the Ghanaian mind includes the tendency to illegally avoid paying taxes for one reason or another at all costs. To that extent, you can fashion the tax regime in an attempt to minimize distortions and risks in any way, shape, or form; however, if the Ghanaian mindset is not educated to fully comprehend the importance of taxation and associated benefits, in economic development (including showing the people where their tax cedis are going and what they are doing for them), and if collections are not legally enforced, no matter how you tweak the system, revenue collection will always be a problem and interperiod equity will always suffer leading to severe budget deficits for the nation. The beauty of a nation lies in her ability to assess and collect taxes. The education and legal enforcement should begin at the nation's ports!
Kwadjoe, London 12 years ago
Personally.I dont think the GRA is needed. The various state revenue collecting agencies must have systems, procedures and process that enables them to do the job. How can IRS tell us that since 2006 a company had not paid i ... read full comment
Personally.I dont think the GRA is needed. The various state revenue collecting agencies must have systems, procedures and process that enables them to do the job. How can IRS tell us that since 2006 a company had not paid its taxes and have been shut down. What was happening between IRS officials and the company's directors? Answer is unholy relationship. Some custom official, clearing agents are so rich how do these people make their wealth? SSNIT collects contribution from just a section of the population. Why? On the expenditure side the govt gives 50 000 cedis for MPs rent. nothing wrong with that but IRS, who are these landlords and have you collected taxes due? All these state depts have CEO's who are being look after by the state.
Revenue collection has nothing to do with the Ghanaian attitude or culture. What is happening is these organisations who have failed the state. This failure has become the norm and it is defining the culture. How can the Ministry of Finance disburse monies to districts without one qualified accountant? How can contracts be paid for no work done? where is the Auditor General? How can the govt seize goods for importers and sell them to govt officials. How can we continue drawing budgets with deficit year after? How can bank of Ghana invite commercial banks to buy Treasury bills with customers deposits? We are causing the demise of the state. Generation will not forgive us.
The problem with taxation in Ghana lies in the area of revenue collections - resulting from the citizens' reluctance to pay or willingness to grossly evade. The Ghanaian culture, I mean the collective programming of the Ghana ...
read full comment
Personally.I dont think the GRA is needed. The various state revenue collecting agencies must have systems, procedures and process that enables them to do the job. How can IRS tell us that since 2006 a company had not paid i ...
read full comment