There is no option to taxation – GRA Official

Mr Elias K. Sokuu, Upper West Regional Director of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has called on Ghanaians to honour their tax obligations to make them worthy citizens.

He said the citizenry should know that there are no options to taxation since it caters for national security and the basic development needs of the state.

Mr Sokuu made the call when he addressed a cross section of the public including business groups, members of second cycle schools, heads of government departments and agencies at a day’s tax education forum in Wa.

It was on the theme: “Ghana Revenue Authority – A single approach to revenue mobilisation.”

He said taxation is a collective responsibility of all citizens and should be seen as a compulsory duty of the people to enhance development.

Mr Sokuu who is also responsible for the Upper East Region, appealed to Ghanaians not to see officials of GRA as their enemies or persons distant from reality.

Mr Ben Suuri, sector Commander of Customs Division of the GRA, who spoke on the “Integration process in GRA”, said it would help to provide one-stop service to the tax payer, promote efficient collection of revenue and the equitable distribution of the tax burden.

He advised district assemblies to take advantage of the expertise in the GRA to help them improve assessment and collection of revenue.

Mr Samuel Harvey-Ewusi, a Collector at the Customs Division said the priority role of Customs is to contribute towards making Ghana the gateway to West Africa.

The Customs Division is tasked with the security of the country as it relates to importation and exportation of prohibited and restricted articles.

It has therefore implemented programmes to modernise its procedures and processes to facilitate trade and movement of people in and out of Ghana.

Source: GNA