The Private Sector Anti-Corruption Group (PSCAG), an association led institution made up of the main Chambers of Commerce in the country, has held a closed-door discussion with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to strategise to boost the nation's tax revenue.

The meeting aims to assist GRA in increasing domestic revenue mobilisation and discussing some associated challenges with tax collection.

The encounter was attended by representatives of the GRA and accounting firms, PwC, KPMG and EY, as well as heads of the various Chambers of Commerce in the country.

Speaking on reforms at the GRA to aid tax collection, Deputy Commissioner, Daniel Edisi, outlined new digital approaches to mobilise revenue across various sectors of the economy.

“Payment of taxes will be cashless and digital to speed up time spent paying taxes and improve accountability in the tax collection process”.

In answering questions on the perception of harassment from GRA officials, Mr. Edisi urged the attendees to take advantage of the newly created Tax Audit and Quality Assurance Department (TAQA) to report such officers for investigations and swift sanctions will be applied.

“Report these recalcitrant officers on condition of unanimity to TAQA and they will be punished accordingly if investigated and found guilty”, he said.

Dominic Naab and Victor Akogo also of the GRA addressed attendees and answered questions pertaining to withholding taxes, VAT, exemptions and tax assessment.

The trade associations applauded government for its digital drive in tax collection, but urged the GRA to communicate and engage with businesses on a regular basis.

They also called on government as a matter of urgency to broaden the tax base in Ghana and operationalise the Tax Appeals Board.

PSACG is a private sector association formed by the U.K-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC), American Chamber of Commerce-Ghana (AMCHAM), Canada Ghana Chamber of Commerce (CANCHAM), Ghana Netherlands Business and Culture Council (GNBCC), French Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ghana (FCCIG), and the Association of Ghanaian Industries (AGI) in 2018 with the goal of addressing practices that impact the private sector negatively through advocacy and strategic dialogues.