The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has appealed to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to bring a human element to its upcoming VAT compliance visits. The appeal comes as the GRA intensifies efforts to boost tax compliance across the country.
At the launch of the nationwide VAT Compliance Campaign, GUTA President Clement Boateng urged GRA officials to be measured in their duties and to treat businesses with cooperation rather than confrontation. He said the officers deployed should be friendly and accommodative while carrying out their work.
Boateng highlighted the need for a partnership between the tax authority and the business community to achieve the campaign’s objectives. He added that the exercise would include education, sensitisation, enforcement and awareness creation to explain why VAT‑eligible businesses must pay the tax.
He also asked the GRA to educate consumers about the benefits and incentives for demanding VAT invoices at the point of purchase. “I will also urge GRA to include in their education the incentive that will be given to consumers who demand VAT invoices after their purchase,” Boateng said.
GUTA will encourage its members to cooperate with the GRA as the authority rolls out the campaign. Boateng stressed that effective collaboration among the tax authority, businesses and consumers is essential for improving Ghana’s tax‑to‑GDP ratio and supporting national development.
As the campaign unfolds, the GRA is expected to combine education, awareness creation and enforcement to ensure VAT‑eligible businesses comply with their obligations.
