Prime News Ghana

I have 'an absolute zero-tolerance for corruption' - Prof Adei after being sworn in as new GRA Chair

By Mutala Yakubu
Prof. Stephen Adei
Prof. Stephen Adei
Shares
facebook sharing button Share
twitter sharing button Tweet
email sharing button Email
sharethis sharing button Share

Prof. Stephen Adei a former Director-General and Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), has been sworn in as the new Chair of the Board of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Minister for Finance Ken Ofori-Atta sworn in Mr Adei in a short ceremony on Friday, September 20, 2019.

Also sworn in at the event was Eugene Asante Ofosuhene as a Board Member.

The Ministry has also accepted the retirement notification of Kofi Nti, the current Commissioner-General, which takes effect on October 1, 2019.

READ ALSO:  More tax defaulters to be prosecuted to ensure tax compliance - Ken Ofori Atta

Mr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Commissioner for Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD), will become the acting Commissioner-General also responsible for DTRD.

“Government is aiming to raise ¢45.2bn in domestic revenues as the 2019 target even though GRA is 7.3% behind target as at the end of July,” Mr Ofori-Atta said.

He added that “although the country’s tax revenues have grown consistently over the last few years, Ghana’s tax-to-GDP ratio at 17.6% is still well below the middle-income country average for Africa.”

The GRA’s efficiency in tax collection has become even more crucial for achieving sustainable revenue targets that reflect Ghana’s developmental agenda.

The contribution of the two new Members of the Board is essential to ensuring the achievement of GRA’s objective of revenue mobilisation in an era of Ghana Beyond Aid.

Ken Ofori-Atta told the new Board Members of government’s faith in their ability to contribute towards the elimination of revenue administration inefficiencies, undue external influences, unassigned ‘security personnel’ and corruption.

The Minister stressed that they bring renewed hope and that he has strong trust in their high moral standing and patriotism.

In a comment, Prof. Adei said he has "an absolute zero-tolerance for corruption, and as captains of the ship, we must be seen not to do wrong”.

He called on the citizenry to fulfil their civic responsibilities to pay their taxes. He also mentioned the new partnership between Faith-Based Organisations and Government to encourage their congregations to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s” and promote new responsiveness for all citizens to protect the public purse.

READ ALSO:  Beneficiaries of free SHS will pay more taxes in future - GRA