Kofi Nti (third right) presents an award to a receipient
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has honoured some hardworking staff and taxpayers, who promptly filed returns and paid taxes in the year 2018.
The ceremony was held in Accra on Friday, March 22, 2019 at a time when the revenue mobilisation body collected GH₵37.6 billion for 2018 out of a GH₵39.8 billion target, resulting in a short fall of GH₵2.2 billion.
The Commissioner General of GRA, Emmanuel Kofi Nti, in his address, explained that though the main target was missed, the GH₵23.6 billion target for domestic taxes was exceeded by 3.6 percent which was equivalent to GH₵850 million.
Mr Nti expressed appreciation to taxpayers who complied with the tax laws and hardworking staff.
“Let me say that GRA could not have collected GH₵37.6 billion without the efforts of our hardworking staff and particularly the willingness of taxpayers,” he added.
With a mobilisation target of GH₵45.5 billion set for 2019, the GRA boss appealed to all income-earners to contribute their quota to national development by paying taxes regularly.
In attendance was the Deputy Minister of Finance, Kwaku Agyeman Kwarteng, who urged the Customs Division of the Authority to improve their performance to enable government to meet the needs of citizens.
He also revealed that government would carry out reforms to improve the capacity of the authority.
Mr. Kwarteng warned against tax evasion and other tax related crimes.
In the category of Large Taxpayer Office, Kasapreko Company Limited (Ltd) was adjudged the Best Indigenous Company, while Scancom Ghana Ltd received a Platinum Award.
Newmont Ghana ltd, Cal Bank ltd and Ghana Manganese Company received Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards respectively.
For the Medium Taxpayer Office, Bond Savings and Loans was adjudged the Best Indigenous Company while Intermodal Shipping Agencies Ghana Ltd, Amantin/Kasei Rural Bank and Oma Logistics Ghana Ltd were presented with Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards respectively.
In the Small Taxpayer Officer category, Rainbow Agroscience Company Ltd emerged as the Gold Award winner, while Brytways Launderers and Cleaners and GNPC Technip Engineering Service Ltd received the Silver and Bronze Awards respectively.
In the Custom Division Category, Wilmar Africa Ltd received the Platinum Award, Olam Ghana Ltd received Gold, Stallion Industries and Investments received Silver while Progressive Onion Farmers and Trade got the Bronze Awards.
Other recipients included Elvis Darko, Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) and DANIDA.
By Issah Mohammed
