Alhassan Andani, a former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Stanbic Bank, is calling for reforms in Ghana’s tax administration.
He says the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is operating like a “terrorist organization” which is stifling the growth of many businesses.
He says the manner with which the GRA operates with businesses breeds corruption and suffocates the entire private sector.
Mr. Andani, speaking at the recent Ghana CEO-Presidential Gala Dinner, indicated that “I know a number of organisations, when GRA gets into their space, it’s as if they deliberately do it in order to wriggle people’s arms to take money.”
He described how many CEOs and businesses now feel a sense of dread when dealing with GRA officials, saying, “When GRA is coming, it’s like some terrorists coming.”
He expressed the need for the country to undergo tax reforms to rationalise, simplify and reduce the number of taxes businesses pay.
In his speech, he disclosed that some businesses pay as many as 33 different tax obligations which he says does not promote business growth.
“Any new tax measures we don’t simplify, and indeed merge and delete some taxes… we just have to rationalize it and give this very emerging capital or private sector people time to breathe,” he stated.
He added further that local industries are struggling from inflation, depreciation, and delayed payments coupled with the tax struggles.
These factors, he argued, place private sector operators in a financial bind, affecting their ability to pay taxes on time and leading to more confrontational interactions with the GRA.
Mr Andani noted that while businesses are often willing to meet their tax obligations, they need “some breather room” to maintain cash flow and manage their costs effectively.
In his call for the reforms, he highlited the need to ensure such changes help businesses to thrive rather than overburdening them with taxes.
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