Finance and accounting specialist Abena Serwaa Annor has been at the forefront of reforms aimed at strengthening Ghana’s tax compliance systems and boosting revenue generation, particularly within the maritime industry.

With over a decade of experience in financial management, Abena’s work has blended rigorous research with practical reforms that have directly influenced national policy. In 2021, she was nominated by the Presidency of Ghana to lead research on tax compliance among Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs). Her findings revealed critical gaps in compliance and education, providing the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) with key insights that informed its decision to broaden the tax net, as reported by Citi Newsroom.

Her research extended into Ghana’s maritime sector through her Master’s thesis at the University of Ghana, where she examined “Revenue Generation in the Maritime Industry: A Case of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA).” The study proposed bold reforms, including leveraging Ghana’s ports to serve landlocked countries, developing ship repair services, and training marine engineers. These recommendations were later reflected in GMA’s revenue expansion agenda, highlighted by MyJoyOnline, as the Authority pursued comprehensive reforms to diversify and strengthen its financial base.

Abena’s professional contributions at the Ghana Maritime Authority have also been critical. During the 2018 banking sector crisis, she played a key role in renegotiating the Authority’s short-term investments, a move that prevented nearly half of potential financial losses. She later spearheaded the transition from manual accounting systems to an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, significantly enhancing efficiency and transparency. Her financial modeling further secured a $45 million Ecobank loan for new office complexes, strengthening the Authority’s long-term operations.

Abena expressed her commitment to ensuring that tax reforms and regulations translate into measurable results, particularly within the maritime sector. She emphasized the need to leverage Ghana’s ports and strategic coastal location to attract foreign investment, digitize port operations, strengthen the local shipping industry, and promote the “Blue Economy.” With the maritime sector already contributing over 80% of customs revenue through imports and exports, she believes targeted strategies can transform the industry into an even greater driver of national growth.

Having completed her Master of Business Administration in finance from the University of Ghana, Abena is deepening her expertise in taxation, regulatory compliance, and financial systems. Her academic focus extends beyond e-commerce to include corporate taxation, supply chain cost accounting, and public sector revenue reforms. She aims to channel this expertise into building resilient financial systems that benefit both Ghana and the wider global economy.

From tax compliance research that shaped national policy to reforms that safeguarded millions in state revenue, Abena Serwaa Annor’s career illustrates the transformative role finance professionals can play in development. Her work continues to strengthen Ghana’s economic foundations, while her vision for the maritime industry underscores the country’s potential to become a regional hub for trade and investment.