Accra: The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced plans to mobilise an additional GHS10 billion in revenue through the rollout of a new Modified Taxation Scheme targeted at the informal sector. The initiative, which is expected to be launched on November 5, this year, forms part of the Authority's ambition to raise GHS360 billion in revenue by 2028.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, the Commissioner-General of the GRA, revealed the scheme during a courtesy visit by Madam Lydia Lamisi Akanvarigba, the Minister of Public Sector Reform. He stated that the new scheme is designed to make tax compliance simpler, fairer, and more convenient for informal sector operators. The informal sector, constituting about 70 percent of businesses in Ghana, currently contributes around 30 percent to GDP.
The modified taxation system is based on principles of convenience and simplicity for taxpayers whose operations are not complex. Sole proprietors or self-employed individuals with an annual income of no more than GHS500,000 will pay a flat rate of 3 percent on their income. Mr. Sarpong highlighted that the system is expected to significantly broaden the tax base, with even modest contributions per taxpayer yielding a substantial cumulative effect. He noted that if two million informal sector participants each pay around GHS5,000 annually, it could generate up to GHS10 billion.
Mr. Sarpong also mentioned that the GRA is collaborating with the Ministry of Finance on Value Added Tax (VAT) policy reforms, expected to be announced in the 2026 national budget. Strengthening VAT compliance could substantially boost revenue, considering the country's growing population and rising consumption levels.
The Commissioner-General further discussed the upcoming launch of the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), a full-scale automation project expected to go live in the first quarter of 2026. This system will link all domestic tax operations with customs processes, allowing taxpayers to register, file, and pay taxes seamlessly from anywhere.
Additionally, the GRA is piloting Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for customs classification and valuation to reduce human intervention and speed up cargo clearance. An Advanced Cargo Information (ACI) system has also been introduced to enable the Authority to receive detailed cargo data 24 hours before ships depart for Ghana, improving oversight and reducing revenue losses from cargo manipulation.
Mr. Sarpong also stated that the GRA is expanding its data and insights capability by collaborating with public institutions such as SSNIT, Registrar of Companies, and the National Identification Authority (NIA) to share taxpayer data. These collaborations aim to identify potential taxpayers more efficiently and improve compliance.
In line with the government's 24-hour economy agenda, Mr. Sarpong mentioned that the GRA has implemented three-shift systems at Tema Port and plans to extend them to Takoradi Port. A 24-hour contact centre is also being developed to promptly respond to taxpayer needs, building a customer-focused GRA that collects revenue with a human face.