Only 1.2 million Ghanaians currently pay their taxes, a situation the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) says is undermining domestic revenue mobilisation and slowing national development.
Cephas Makafui Zokah, a Compliance Officer at the GRA, described the figure as worrying, noting that low public awareness and reluctance among workers, particularly in the informal sector remain major barriers to tax compliance.
He said the Authority has therefore intensified a nationwide tax sensitisation campaign to address the challenge and bring more people into the tax net.
He made the remarks at a tax education forum in Sunyani attended by artisanal workers, including electricians, carpenters, plumbers, masons, tailors, hairdressers, traders and apprentices from the Sunyani and Berekum Municipalities of the Bono Region.
Mr. Zokah also introduced participants to the GRA’s Modified Taxation Scheme (MTS), a digital platform designed to simplify tax processes for the informal sector.
He took the group through the registration and payment procedures, urging them to adopt the system to fulfil their tax obligations conveniently.
He explained that the MTS allows informal sector businesses to register with the GRA, file their tax returns, and pay the required taxes without the need for physical visits to GRA offices.
According to him, the scheme is expected to increase tax revenue, improve compliance, promote fairness and equity across the tax system, and ease administrative burdens on both taxpayers and the Authority.
Mr. Festus Onomah-Quansah, the Sunyani Area Director of the GRA, said the application’s flexibility makes payment easier for individuals and small businesses.
He reminded citizens that tax collection is a shared responsibility.
He urged workers, especially those in the informal sector, to demonstrate patriotism by voluntarily paying their taxes to support national development.
