Ghana’s business and policy circles are gearing up for the June 25, 2025 launch of ‘VAT in Africa: The Ghana Experience,’ a new book by former Finance Minister and current Presidential Advisor on Economy, Mr. Seth Terkper. The publication is expected to reinvigorate national conversations around tax efficiency, private sector compliance, and the future of revenue mobilization in a digitally evolving economy.
Terkper, who served as Finance Minister from 2013 to 2017, played a pivotal role in overhauling Ghana’s Value Added Tax (VAT) system, an essential source of domestic revenue for the government. His tenure saw reforms such as adjustments to the VAT Flat Rate Scheme (VFRS) and major investments in revenue digitization through platforms like the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
For businesses, VAT compliance remains a significant operational concern. The evolving tax landscape characterized by multiple levies including the GETFund and National Health Insurance levies has raised the effective VAT burden over time. Terkper’s new book is expected to address these challenges, offering insights into how tax policy can balance fiscal needs with private sector growth.
“This launch goes beyond a ceremonial book release, it is a policy moment,” said a senior tax consultant in Accra. “Terkper’s experience with both local reform and international advisory work gives him a unique voice. Businesses are eager to see what solutions he proposes for improving compliance without stifling enterprise.”
The book also promises to explore the broader economic implications of VAT in Ghana and across Africa, drawing on Terkper’s dual background as a chartered accountant and former IMF economist. As Ghana continues to push for improved revenue mobilization amid rising debt levels and reduced external financing, the discussion his book will ignite could shape future tax policy, especially in relation to SMEs and digital commerce.
With fiscal sustainability topping national priorities, the launch is expected to attract major stakeholders from the private sector, academia, and international development partners, all seeking strategies to improve Ghana’s tax-to-GDP ratio without undermining business competitiveness.
As Ghana’s economy diversifies beyond commodities, VAT will remain a cornerstone of public finance and Terkper’s reflections could provide a roadmap for reform that supports both government and industry goals.
