The Management of Ghana Revenue Authority has refuted allegations that its officials have been constantly harassing the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong, through unwarranted audits of his company.

In a press statement, it explained that its officials have merely been carrying out their mandate in line with World Customs Organisation’s guidelines in ensuring adherence to best practices.

“…such exercises are regularly conducted. The purpose of such audits, are to measure and improve compliance whiles fine tuning controls. The factory in question together with other companies were thus audited to check the value of goods imported and their intended use,” the Authority stated.

It further stressed that the MP’s Company was not singled out for the regular exercise. According to GRA, “in January and February 2023, about thirty (30) of such risk-based activities were carried out on a number of businesses.”

To ensure enforcement and compliance, the GRA has also been carrying out invoice invigilation exercises to ascertain Value Added Tax (VAT) paid by VAT registered businesses.

“These exercises entail stationing staff on the premises of VAT registered businesses such as shops, restaurants and manufacturing sites to check the issuance of VAT invoices. In September 2022, invigilation exercises were intensified nationwide in order to enforce the issuance of VAT invoices and to encourage persons who buy goods and patronize services to demand for VAT invoices.

“This exercise was very successful and GRA intends to scale up the invoice invigilation exercise from April 2023 as part of its revenue mobilization efforts,” it added.

GRA stressed that while they intend to intensify their invoice invigilation programme, their officials have been advised to remain professional and act at all times with integrity as required by the Authority’s Code of Ethics and Conduct.

“We therefore encourage any member of the public who has evidence of any alleged corrupt practice by an official of the Authority to report such criminal acts to the Management of GRA on 0800-900-110 for redress,” it said.

The GRA assured the MP and the general public of their readiness to receive complaints concerning their work, and assured of their commitment to carrying out their mandate.

“Management wishes to use this opportunity to assure Honourable Kennedy Agyapong and all taxpayers of our readiness to receive complaints and feedback on our work as we partner to mobilise revenue for national development.

“We also wish to state that GRA remains committed to carrying out its mandate of revenue mobilization with integrity, fairness and utmost professionalism,” the statement concluded.