A Customs Officer (name withheld) stationed at the Tema Port who’s also an importer is in hot waters as he’s had his business closed down by officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA) for evading tax.
The officer is alleged to be in the habit of evading import duties and levies on the frozen items he imports into his shop, thereby cheating the State of revenue.
Officials of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division of the GRA armed with this information last week Thursday stormed his shop, looked into his books and subsequently shut down his business (Business name withheld).
This website is informed that there’s an alleged attempt by GRA Officials to leave the Customs Officer who’s cheated the State off the hook and not prosecute him because he’s one of their own.
The public officer’s conduct contradicts his duty to the State as he’s mandated to ensure that importers pay the right taxes to the State to ensure development.
On 1st November, 2017, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) launched a nationwide tax campaign on voluntary tax compliance. The campaign is about developing and sustaining a national conversation on taxes; increasing awareness of Ghanaians on the importance of this important civic obligation and the disservice we do to our country if we do not pay our taxes.
But the condemnable act by this Customs Officer is one of the reasons why the Ghana Revenue Authority struggles to meet its annual set target.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) missed its 2018 revenue target of GH₵39,802.27 billion by GH₵2171.73 or -5.5 percent.
The authority planned to collect GH₵23,588.41 billion in domestic taxes but recorded GH₵24,438.75, an excess of GH₵850.35 million or 3.5 percent.
The Customs Division was also given a target GH₵16,213.86 billion but it realized GH₵13,191.07 billion, a deviation of GH₵3,022.07 billion or -18.6 percent.
