Revenue reset: GRA intensifies efforts to improve tax collection, compliance

Revenue reset: GRA intensifies efforts to improve tax collection, compliance

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is ramping up its efforts to enhance tax collection and ensure greater compliance, aligning with government’s broader agenda to reset the nation’s economy.

In line with this, acting Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong has outlined a comprehensive strategy focusing on broadening the tax net, achieving an ambitious revenue target of GH¢200 billion in 2025 and implementing business-friendly reforms to foster voluntary compliance.

Speaking during an X Space discussion co-hosted by the High Street Journal, IMANI Ghana and NorvanReports on the theme ‘Resetting Ghana’s revenue mobilisation’, on Tuesday, May 7, 2025, Mr. Sarpong stressed a need for the revenue collector to put in measures that effectively mobilise needed revenue for government.

“Taxpayers are our customers and we must build public trust and confidence in the tax system. When that happens, we can mobilise the needed revenue to support the nation’s reset agenda,” Mr. Sarpong stated.

Broadening the tax net

A cornerstone of GRA’s renewed strategy is expanding the tax base to include sectors and individuals previously outside the formal tax system. This initiative involves leveraging technology and data integration to identify and bring more taxpayers into the fold.

“Through data analytics and integration with other institutions, we can now identify registered businesses and individuals and match their activities with tax obligations,” he stated. “The same goes for the informal sector, which we are targetting through mobile money transactions and other data points.”

The role of institutional collaboration

Collaborations with key institutions such as the Registrar of Companies and Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) were identified by the Commissioner-General as central to this effort. By integrating systems via Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), GRA aims to access relevant data points to identify non-compliant businesses and individuals.

“We have commenced discussions with the Registrar of Companies to ensure that every business and individual registered with them is connected to our database,” Mr. Sarpong noted.

“People will file their social security because it is tied to their retirement, but will not pay their taxes. So it is essential that we connect with an institution like SSNIT to identify these businesses and ensure compliance.”

GH¢200bn revenue target in 2025

The GRA has set an ambitious target to raise at least GH¢200billion in tax revenue by the end of 2025, a significant increase from the GH¢153billion collected in 2024. This target is part of a medium-term strategy to boost domestic revenue mobilisation and increase the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio.

“This year, we’re targetting GH¢200billion in tax revenue, up from GH¢153billion in 2024,” Mr. Sarpong stated. “But in the medium-term, by 2028 we aim to reach a minimum of GH¢360billion.”

The ‘360 by 28’ campaign seeks to more than double Ghana’s 2024 tax revenue performance. Achieving this target would move Ghana’s tax-to-GDP ratio from the current 13.8% to between 17% and 18% by 2028.

Business-friendly reforms

Recognising the challenges businesses face in complying with tax obligations, GRA is implementing reforms aimed at simplifying tax processes and providing support to businesses. These reforms are designed to encourage voluntary compliance without stifling business growth.

“Our strategy is to widen the tax net through the use of technology. Many businesses have migrated online and are transacting via digital platforms, so that’s the way to go,” Mr. Sarpong said.

“We are in a digital and automated world and GRA must not be left behind in terms of technological transformation. That is why we’re digitising tax administration to reach more taxpayers, including those outside the net,” he said.

Trust, integrity and professionalism

The Commissioner General also shared that the GRA is focusing on building a taxpayer partnership rooted in trust, integrity, and professionalism. “Taxpayers are our customers, and we must build public trust and confidence in the tax system. When that happens, we can mobilise the needed revenue to support the nation’s reset agenda,” Mr. Sarpong noted.

These initiatives, he said, enhance GRA’s revenue mobilisation through inclusive, transparent and business-friendly approaches. Clearly, as Ghana embarks on its economic reset, GRA’s strategies are poised to play a pivotal role in achieving fiscal stability and supporting national development.

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