Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has disclosed that Ghana currently loses an estimated 60% of its potential Valued Added Tax (VAT) revenue through non-compliance and systemic inefficiencies.
The Minister stressed that this is unacceptable.
Presenting the 2026 Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, 2026, the Minister called on Parliament to support Government to change the narrative.
“It cannot continue. I call on Parliament to support Government to crackdown on businesses and individuals who collect VAT from taxpayers and keep it instead of remitting it to the state,” he stated.
He noted that Government is rolling out physical electronic devices to strengthen VAT compliance and improve the monitoring of taxable transactions.
“Physical electronic devices will help improve VAT collection, reduce revenue leakages and ensure that businesses account properly for VAT they collect,” he stressed.
He said the pilot phase of the electronic devices to monitor VAT payment is at an advanced stage.
To encourage participation and improve compliance, government will introduce the VAT reward scheme under which customers who obtain valid VAT invoice will qualify for periodic reward.
“This will actively involve every Ghanaian and will help protecting the nation’s tax base.
“Mr. Speaker, this is how a tax culture is built not through fear but through participation, transparency and reward,” Ato Forson mentioned.
