Anthony Sarpong, Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has underscored the need for a strong human-centred strategy to improve productivity, boost revenue mobilisation and strengthen the country’s economic growth prospects.
He said building a world-class revenue institution was not only a governance issue but also an economic priority, as efficient tax administration remained central to supporting government spending, infrastructure development and private sector growth.
Mr Sarpong made the remarks at the opening of the 12th National Executive Council Meeting of the Ghana Revenue Authority Workers Union (GRAWU) in Accra, held on the theme: “Transforming for Impact and Growth – The Role of Labour in Strengthening Work Ethics of GRA.”
The meeting also witnessed the launch of the Union’s four-year strategic plan for 2026–2029, which seeks to strengthen the Union’s institutional capacity, improve operational efficiency and expand its financial resource base.
Mr Sarpong said the transformation of the Authority must focus on improving staff productivity, efficiency and accountability, noting that stronger human capital would translate directly into higher revenue generation for national development.
He explained that the country’s ability to finance major economic programmes, reduce borrowing and support businesses depended largely on how effectively the Authority mobilised domestic revenue.
“Human capital remains the most important asset of the Authority. A motivated and well-trained workforce will not only improve operational efficiency but also increase compliance and boost revenue inflows,” he said.
The Commissioner-General noted that improved collaboration between management and the Workers Union had helped create a stable working environment, which was necessary to enhance productivity and sustain revenue growth.
He said the Authority’s transformation agenda placed people and institutional culture at the centre of its strategy, adding that discipline, professionalism and adherence to the code of conduct were critical to improving operational performance.
Mr Sarpong said the GRA had already begun investing significantly in staff development, including structured training programmes and leadership development initiatives aimed at improving technical capacity across the institution.
He added that improving the skills of revenue officers would not only strengthen tax compliance but also enhance service delivery to businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises that depend on efficient tax administration to operate and grow.
Mr Sarpong also disclosed that part of the Authority’s budget would be dedicated to improving office accommodation, logistics and modern working tools to reduce operational inefficiencies and enhance service delivery.
He said the Authority was prioritising investments in digital tools and modern infrastructure to ensure faster tax processing, improved monitoring and stronger enforcement, which would ultimately support the country’s economic transformation agenda.
On staff welfare, Mr Sarpong said management was working to strengthen health support systems, improve working conditions and introduce additional welfare programmes, including plans for a health support scheme for retired staff.
He explained that improved welfare would help retain skilled personnel and reduce staff turnover, which often affected productivity and institutional performance.
Mr Sarpong urged staff of the Authority to remain committed to their mandate, noting that the GRA had set an ambitious revenue target of more than GH¢230 billion.
He said achieving the target would require improved efficiency, stronger collaboration and a renewed focus on productivity, adding that effective revenue mobilisation was essential to supporting economic growth, stabilising public finances and strengthening the private sector.
Mr Sarpong said the responsibility of mobilising revenue for national development remained critical, and called on staff to build on the legacy of previous generations and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s long-term economic transformation.
