The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Emmanuel Kofi Nti, has appealed to income earning members of the general public to ensure they are all registered with the tax authorities and contribute their quota to taxes.

Speaking at the 2017 awards ceremony in Accra aimed at recognising outstanding tax contributors and staff, he said: “I wish to take this opportunity to appeal to all taxpayers and income earners not yet in GRA books to register or re-register for purpose of paying their taxes to take advantage of the Tax Amnesty period by coming forward to regularise and straighten their tax records before it expires at the end of August, 2018.”

“I wish to reiterate that as tax administrators, we principally see voluntary taxpayers as our partners in national development. I am, therefore, calling on taxpayers to partner the GRA, so that together we can contribute to building this dear nation. Our doors are always open for your suggestions and contributions to enable us serve you better,” he said.

Sounding a word of caution to tax evaders, he indicated that such tax delinquent persons should desist from the practice, since it affected the economy negatively.

“We are counting on your support and plead with the few who try to avoid the payment of duty to put a stop to it as it harms the economy to a very large extent and that GRA is going to be hard at them. This notion of business as usual will no longer be tolerated.”

“We are ready to reward where necessary and at the same time impose sanctions on taxpayers who deliberately plot to understate or evade their obligations,” Mr. Nti stated.

He urged awardees to bring their collective strength to bear on the achievement of the authority’s targets, adding that, “To our staff awardees, I wish to urge you to work harder than before.”

“I believe honouring you, our staff and our taxpayers, would also serves as motivation to other employees to also strive harder than before and also be accorded the necessary recognition.”

The award scheme was, among other benefits, targeted at complimenting taxpayers and business owners who fulfilled their tax obligation during the year under review.

He congratulated the management of the GRA for their leadership and support for all the plans that had been formulated and commended staff for their exceptional efforts at revenue mobilisation and helping the organisation to meet its targets.