The Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority says as part of reforms to help the outfit meet its target of GH¢ 17 billion for this year after losing 18% of its 2018 target, it will start prosecuting tax evaders soon.
According to the Commissioner-General at the Customs Division, Isaac Crenstil, they see prosecution as the last resort after sensitizing its stakeholders on the need to pay duties and taxes.
“We will do this in a way not to instil fear or intimidate our defaulters but it will also be an avenue for us to educate people about the essence of tax payment.”
Speaking at a passing out ceremony for about 300 NABCO personnel in Tema, Mr. Crentsil stated the NABCo recruits will help in this new venture.
“The NABCo recruits have been trained on the job to be vigilant and so we can now at least employ 2 to 3 people in every warehouse. They will play a key role in monitoring transit goods and with supervision will serve as escorts.”
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) begun a nationwide exercise to recover all debts owed the Authority by various businesses and taxpayers before the end of 2018to enhance government’s fiscal position for the year, an exercise was a directive from the Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.
However, the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) in February 2019 has been able to retrieve an amount of GH¢61 million from tax defaulters for the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) with the recoveries made from a number of organizations and businesses over the past two years.