Deputy Commissioner of Operations at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Daniel Adisi, has emphasized the importance of education and collaboration in tax mobilization.
He advocated for a more customer-centric approach, urging both the press and the public to work together in understanding the critical role taxes play in national development.
“Taxation is a bit technical, so you need to explain and explain and explain. And that is what we are trying to do,” Mr. Adisi stated.
Mr. Adisi made the call during a workshop on the country’s taxation system organized for members of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) on Friday August 23.
He underscored the need for consistent education about tax processes to ensure that citizens understand the benefits of paying taxes.
“Without taxes, we can’t grow our nation. We can’t do anything. We go out there to collect loans and other things, and it is somebody’s citizens that have paid the taxes. We also must endeavor to pay,” he said.
Mr. Adisi reassured the public that the GRA is committed to supporting taxpayers and educating them about their obligations through various channels.
According to him, the GRA is ready to educate, to use channels like the media to reach out there and emphasize the importance of the taxation that citizens need to pay adding, “Now, GRA is customer-centric. And please, carry this message across, and then let’s do it together.”
Mr. Adisi expressed confidence in the strategies of the GRA as it moves towards achieving its revenue targets for the year.
He stressed the significance of cooperation and a shift from more aggressive tax collection methods, commonly referred to as the “Rambo style” towards engagement and education.
“Going forward we are going for engagement and education. That is the strategy that we are using, and it is gaining advantages for us and we are sure we’ll be able to meet the target come the end of the year,” he added.
Mr. Adisi emphasized the media’s role in helping spread awareness and education on taxation issues and stressed because the work of GRA is technical, it is necessary to go out and educate.
The GRA, with ongoing efforts to achieve its revenue goals, hopes that through collaboration and sustained education, citizens will develop a stronger understanding of their tax obligations, helping to drive national growth and development.
