Mr. Seth Terkper, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, has urged the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to step up its revenue collection performance by working hard to achieve set targets.

The Authority is expected to rake in Ghc22 billion, and he said the officers would have to do everything to hit the target.

Last year, it had projected to collect Ghc17 billion, but narrowly missed this by 2.7 per cent.

Mr. Terkper said improving internal funds generation was critical because the nation could not continue to depend on donor support to meet the ever increasing government expenditure.

It was for this reason that his Ministry had approved the payment of bonuses to motivate the GRA staff and challenge them to achieve this year’s target.

He said this in a speech read for him at the opening of the first National Delegates’ Congress of the GRA Workers’ Union at Akyawkrom in the Ejisu-Juaben Municipality.

The three- day meeting, which is being held under the theme; “Five years of integration of revenue agencies- challenges and achievements,” would be used to assess performance and discuss the way forward.

Again, it would provide the platform to deliberate on issues bothering on quality service delivery and members’ welfare.

Mr. Terkper advised the personnel against corrupt practices and demanded that they upheld the values of integrity and professionalism.

Mr. Boniface Owusu, Interim Chairman of the Union, urged the members to take the deliberations seriously.