The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has received strong recognition at the recently concluded 45th Annual Meeting and Technical Conference of the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

The event brought together senior tax administrators and policy leaders from across 47 member countries to deliberate on pressing global tax issues and share country-level innovations.

Ghana’s delegation was led by Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, who is playing a central role in shaping the conference’s discourse. Mr. Sarpong moderated a flagship session on the theme “Implementing Global Tax Standards While Preserving National Interest: Strategies for Adapting International Frameworks.”

In his opening remarks, Mr. Sarpong emphasised the need for balance global frameworks such as the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) pillars and digital tax rules.

“Tax administrations in emerging markets face the dual responsibility of remaining internationally compliant while protecting national revenue bases. This session is about finding that common ground and remaining balanced in all frameworks that relate with local developments” he said.

Discussions during the session focused on key issues such as the adaptation of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) measures, treatment of digital services taxation, the capacity gaps in lower-income countries, and the role of domestic resource mobilization in achieving sustainable development goals.

Mr. Sarpong’s leadership at this session highlights Ghana’s growing role in global tax reform dialogue.

Ghana’s delegation has actively engaged in technical panels and bilateral discussions throughout the conference, sharing the country’s recent experiences and innovations.

Notable among these are the implementation of Ghana’s 2023–2026 Medium-Term Revenue Strategy (MTRS), which outlines a coordinated reform program aimed at broadening the tax base, improving compliance, and leveraging technology.

The GRA also highlighted progress in taxpayer education with the introduction of the National Tax Education Strategy, modified taxation, risk-based compliance management, and anti-corruption efforts.

Also representing Ghana at the conference includes Lawrence Hotsonyame, Assistant Commissioner and Head of Domestic Tax Technical Training who also serves as Ghana’s official representative to CATA.

The 45th CATA Conference was hosted by the Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) of Papua New Guinea. The event features a mix of technical workshops, plenary sessions, and closed-door consultations on issues such as international tax cooperation, domestic revenue mobilization, tax and gender equity, and administrative governance.