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‘Delay in passage of E-Levy not good for economic recovery’

 The Deputy Minister of Finance, Ms Abena Osei-Asare, says the E-Levy is the surest way that the government can raise the needed revenue domestically to execute most of the country’s development projects.

She, therefore, appealed to Ghanaians to support the passage of the E-Levy Bill in Parliament, saying efforts to delay its passage would not augur well for the economy.

Speaking on behalf of the Sector Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, at the opening of the 2020 Management Retreat Meeting of management staff of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Customs Division in Ho on Wednesday, Ms Osei-Asare said “hands must be on deck” to support the laudable programme of the government.

 The five-day retreat programme on the theme: “Achieving the 2022 Revenue Target, the role as manager,” brought together all management staff across the country to review the past year’s performance in revenue collection and to chart a new course.

Ms Osei- Asare said it was commendable for the GRA to adopt strategies towards achieving the GH80.3 billion target set for the 2022 financial year, representing 40 per cent  over the previous year.

She called on GRA to “seal all loopholes” and to go the extra mile to achieve the target.

She lauded the sector for their success in the 2021 target of GH¢ 57.1 billion which she described as not only achieving but exceeding by 0.7 per cent.

She assured the division of her ministry’s readiness to giving them the needed support to enable them go the extra mile.

Reverend Dr Amishadai-Owusu, the Commissioner-General of the Customs Division, noted that effective April 1, 2022, they would pilot the automation of revenue collection to push the Ghana Beyond Aid programme to achieve its development agenda.

He also added that large tax payers, Value Added Tax and commercial activity sectors would on the same day begin operating on-line (cashless) and registration of jobs and services to minimise time of doing declarations and payments.

He revealed that out of the about nine million people who evaded tax last year, three million of them were identified and made to pay their tax obligation, assuring that the rest of the six million people would be pursued this year.

Madam Eva Mills, a member of the Governing Board at GRA, congratulated the Division for the success in 2021.

She said the Board was mindful of their responsibility and would do all within its power to supply them with the tools to do their work efficiently.

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Letsa, in his welcome address noted that the revenue target of GH80.3 billion for 2022 might look huge, and the roadmap might not be easy, but said with good strategies they would be able to make it.

Togbe Kotoku XI, Paramount Chief of Kpenoe and a member of Asogli Council, who chaired the function called for in-depth tax education for the public to understand their obligation on tax payment.

FROM KAFUIGATI, HO

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