Julius Debrah advocates fair tax system through new reforms

Chief of Staff Julius Debrah, on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, has launched two major Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) initiatives aimed at building a fair, transparent, and accountable tax system to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation.

The Sustained National Tax Education Campaign and the Modified Taxation Scheme were unveiled in Accra as part of the government’s renewed efforts to expand the tax net and stabilise the economy amid fiscal challenges.

Mr. Debrah said the initiatives reflect President Mahama’s determination to create a citizen-centred revenue regime anchored on trust and accountability.

He reaffirmed the President’s directive suspending all service agreements between the GRA and Strategic Mobilisation Limited until the Office of the Special Prosecutor concludes its investigation.

“Building trust is essential to sustaining any vibrant tax system,” he stated.

He described revenue mobilisation as the “backbone of national development,” explaining that it funds critical infrastructure, social programmes, and economic recovery. Commending Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson’s leadership, Mr. Debrah said the administration is committed to resetting the economy and restoring fiscal balance.

“We must move from seeing tax as a burden to seeing it as an investment in building our nation,” he said. “We need to take the bold step of generating enough revenue internally to fund our development.”

Mr. Debrah urged the GRA to address public skepticism about taxation by linking revenue collection to visible improvements in national development.

“Tax officials must be stewards, not predators feeding on the sweat of taxpayers,” he said, stressing the need for transparent communication and accountability.

He commended the GRA for exceeding its collection target, reporting GH₵130.6 billion by September 2025, GH₵347 million above the target, and expressed confidence that the trend would continue.

Mr. Debrah explained that the new Modified Taxation Scheme would ensure that “every taxable income must be collected,” including from the “night market economy,” where many businesses operate without paying taxes.

“This campaign is not just about raising revenue,” he said. “It is about raising awareness, raising responsibility, and raising hope.”

He then formally launched the two initiatives on behalf of President Mahama.