The Chief of Staff, Hon. Julius Debrah, has reaffirmed government’s unwavering commitment to building a fair, transparent, and citizen-driven tax system that fuels Ghana’s economic transformation. He made this known while delivering the keynote address on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the official dual launch of the Sustained National Tax Education Programme and the Modified Taxation Scheme, held in Accra.
Addressing a distinguished audience of policymakers, business leaders, civil society representatives, and development partners, Mr. Debrah emphasized that revenue mobilisation remains the backbone of national development, serving as the foundation for infrastructure expansion, healthcare delivery, education, and economic resilience.
He stressed that Ghana can no longer rely on external aid for its development and must instead harness domestic resources through an inclusive and efficient tax system. “We must move from seeing tax as a burden to seeing it as an investment in building our nation,” he stated.
The Chief of Staff announced President Mahama’s directive to end all existing service agreements between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Strategic Mobilisation Limited, Ghana, pending the outcome of investigations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor. This, he said, underscores the administration’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and prudent use of state resources.
Mr. Debrah commended the Ghana Revenue Authority and its Commissioner-General, Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, for their innovation and leadership in driving reforms that simplify tax processes and improve compliance. He noted that as of September 2025, GRA had exceeded its revenue target, collecting GH¢133.6 billion against a target of GH¢130.2 billion, a testament to efficiency and dedication.
Highlighting the government’s progress in restoring economic stability, Mr. Debrah referenced President Mahama’s removal of nuisance taxes, including the e-Levy and the Betting Tax, as part of efforts to create a more equitable tax environment that encourages voluntary compliance.
The Sustained National Tax Education Programme, he explained, seeks to embed tax awareness in national consciousness, ensuring that citizens understand their rights and responsibilities, while the Modified Taxation Scheme aims to broaden the tax net, particularly among informal sector players.
Mr. Debrah further called for equity and accountability in tax administration, noting that no group or individual should bear an unfair burden or evade responsibility. He emphasized that transparency and consistent public reporting on how tax revenues are used are key to building public trust.
“Our collective future depends on our shared responsibility to contribute fairly. Let us all become ambassadors of this campaign, spreading the gospel of taxation and voluntary compliance,” he urged.
He concluded by officially launching the two initiatives, describing them as “a campaign that seeks not only to raise revenue, but to raise awareness, responsibility, and hope.”
