By The Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) has supported Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s assertion that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been excessively pressuring businesses in its tax collection efforts.
Dr. Bawumia expressed concerns about GRA officials harassing businesses for tax during a discussion with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday, March 20.
He attributed the current situation to GRA’s tendency to establish unrealistic targets, resulting in excessive taxation of existing businesses.
TAGG in a statement on Wednesday said, “The Vice President couldn’t have said it any better because his pronouncement is a true reflection of daily happenings in the business community.”
TAGG, as part of the business community, said its members continue to face extortion and harassment by GRA officials.
“So many task forces are deployed to monitor traders when GRA could leverage on cutting-edge systems. GRA has established a task force to intercept goods and cargo after they are cleared at the ports. This practice has, to say the least, been very nauseating to the cause of our members.”
“Traders are asked to pay taxes higher than their capital. Traders are asked to pay taxes they don’t understand. GRA sits at shops to count the number of customers patronising our wares causing customers not to visit us,” it stated.
