Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, on Tuesday said tax administration and compliance had become critical with the increasing agitation and demand for better social services, salaries and improved infrastructure.

He said the economic and social challenges manifested in the increasing agitation on the labour front called for national efforts in the mobilization of taxes. Mr Aidoo said this in an address read on his behalf at a Public Tax Education Forum organised by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority at Abesim near Sunyani.

The forum to educate stakeholders and the general public on their tax obligations to the State was on the theme “Honoring Tax Obligation is a sign of Good Citizenship” and attended by traders, importers, exporters, security personnel and the media.

Mr Aidoo, the Member of Parliament for Sefwi-Wiawso, said the government had instituted significant systems to enhance and facilitate tax administration through the introduction of the Ghana Revenue Act since national development largely depended on effective tax policies.

He said tax obligation played an integral role in government’s efforts in achieving sustainable growth, expansion and diversification of the economy. Mr Aidoo urged the public to honour their tax obligation to become good citizens as tax made resources available for government to provide social amenities and infrastructure for the country.

Mr Edward L. Sackeyfio, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Officer of Customs Division of the GRA called on importers to check on information on the duties and taxes especially on vehicles to be paid before shipment.

He noted that most of the vehicles imported into the country were abandoned at the port of entry because importers could not pay the duties and taxes involved. Mr Sackeyfio said vehicles which could not be cleared from the port within 60 days of entry into the country would be seized by the government and auctioned and the money realized paid into government coffers.

He said most of the vehicles were parked at the port because the importers realized the duties and taxes to be paid on them were more than the purchasing price and therefore, no need to pay such huge amount. Mr Sackeyfio urged importers to prepare adequately to be able to get their vehicles out from the port to avoid losses.

He advised prospective buyers to approach offices of the Customs Division of the GRA with the vehicle and necessary documents for verification before paying for them.

Mr Sackeyfio said most importers were unable to pay the duties and taxes on their vehicles and therefore smuggled them into the country without paying the duties and taxes. He said anyone who purchased such vehicles could end up losing them or had to pay all the duties and taxes before it could be released.