Dr. Alex Ampaabeng, the Deputy Finance Minister, has joined the call for the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to cease its alleged harassment of businesses.
On March 20, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party, accused the GRA of harassing businesses under the pretext of tax collection.
He expressed these concerns during a meeting with the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as the manifesto committee is formulating ideas for the 2024 elections. The GRA later refuted these allegations.
In an interview on Channel One TV’s The Point of View, Dr Ampaabeng aligned himself with stakeholders and the Vice President, advocating for the GRA to stop such practices.
He described as wrong the GRA’s decision to enlist the services of the National Security, Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and other non-tax agencies to collect taxes on their behalf.
“I don’t have any facts to some of these, so it becomes difficult. But if non-tax agencies are pushing for tax collection, that’s not right. By our law, it’s only GRA which is mandated to collect tax, nothing more, nothing less.
“However, if there are examples you are giving about EOCO, National Security or other non-tax agents, taking part in tax enforcement, then that raises questions as to how and why. But I believe the taxpayer has the rights and it’s only the GRA which by our laws, are mandated to collect taxes.
“If there is any harassment, I also stand to agree with the Vice President that some of these practices have to stop,” he told host Bernard Avle.
END
