GRA to Partner with Media in Public Education and Accountability – Commissioner-General

The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Madam Julie Essiam, has stressed the importance of media collaboration in enhancing public understanding of tax obligations and holding the GRA accountable in its operations.

She emphasized that informed and responsible media coverage can drive the authority to improve its performance while educating citizens on their tax responsibilities.

Speaking at a one-day training workshop for members of the Parliamentary Press Corps (PPC) on Friday, August 23, in Accra, Madam Essiam, in a speech delivered on her behalf by Mr. Daniel Adisi, GRA Deputy Commissioner of Operations, urged media practitioners to deepen their knowledge of tax laws.

This, she said, would improve the accuracy and quality of their reporting on taxation.

The workshop was organized to enhance the knowledge and reporting skills of journalists on taxation and customs operations.

According to Madam Essiam, informed media reportage would not only keep the GRA on its toes but also ensure that taxpayers and potential taxpayers are better informed about their obligations, leading to greater compliance with tax laws.

Taxation, she explained, is a creature of statute, which is not based on common law or judicial decisions but on explicit legislative enactments.

Madam Essiam acknowledged the demanding schedules of the PPC members, noting the difficulty of getting full participation at such workshops. She expressed appreciation to the PPC leadership and commended the Dean for the continued collaboration aimed at demystifying taxation for the public.

“We look forward to more engagements to demystify the concept of taxation, ensuring that everyone is equipped with the right information,” she stated.

The Dean of the Parliamentary Press Corps, Simon Agianab, lauded the GRA for its impactful tax policies and highlighted the authority’s critical role in national development.

He emphasized the importance of understanding the GRA’s evolving role in driving economic growth through taxation and praised the transformative tax measures introduced since 2021, which have yielded positive outcomes for the country.

“Today, we will explore the operations of the Authority, focusing on the tax measures they have implemented since 2021, which have positively impacted our nation,” the Dean remarked.

Mr. Agianab also acknowledged the GRA’s achievements over the past four years, recognizing their resilience in overcoming challenges while continuously improving Ghana’s tax systems.

He encouraged participants to focus on the GRA’s future vision and to discuss how the authority’s work could evolve over the next five years.

The workshop, he noted, offers valuable insights into the GRA’s operations and the impact of their revenue mobilization efforts on the Ghanaian economy.