The Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, Michael Okyere Baafi, has urged the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to adopt a more persuasive and strategic approach in its tax collection efforts, moving away from the use of intimidation.

This call comes in light of growing concerns from the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in the Ashanti Region, who have accused the Customs Division of the GRA of discriminatory and intimidating practices.

Speaking at the National Sales Leaders Conference in Accra on Wednesday, 14 August 2024, Mr. Baafi emphasised the importance of fostering a cooperative relationship between the GRA and taxpayers to enhance compliance and increase revenue.

“One of the board meetings that I attended at the Ghana Revenue Authority, I was sharing a view with the board members that it is high time the GRA as an institution moved away from enforcement to being part and parcel of the system,” Mr. Baafi stated.

He further encouraged the GRA to view taxpayers as crucial partners in the success of government business, suggesting that a more considerate and engaging approach would likely yield better results.

“So that they can see the taxpayer as somebody who is important to government business, so they have to pamper them and get the attention to get more. By that, we are sure we will be able to generate or get a lot of revenue for the state,” Mr. Baafi added.