NPP National Organizer Rebukes GRA Over Tax Collection Approach In Kumasi Leading To Closure of Shops

National Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye, has slammed the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), claiming their officials are harassing some traders over tax evasion.

According to Nana Boakye, it has come to his notice that the officials’ action has led some traders in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, to close their shops.

The GRA is also said to have shut down China Mall in Accra and the Authority reports that the mall has failed to rectify their electronic tax system, thus making it difficult for them to monitor their taxes.

Nana Boakye, in his submissions on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" programme regarding the GRA action, blamed their communicators for the traders' misfortune.

He noted that the Communications Department of the Authority failed to effectively execute their duties.

He recounted that the GRA has sent their officials to sit in the shops of some traders in Kumasi but, to him, this decision is 'oppressive'.

"I understand that we have to maximize revenue but the Communications outfit of GRA, they have failed the nation...I haven't heard any response from GRA. Why are they doing this to the government?...I find it obnoxious. The world economy today is hard. Traders are complaining," he fumed.

He also recounted that, upon hearing about the GRA's action, he sought explanations from the management but to no avail.

To him, if he being the National Organizer of the ruling party wouldn't get a response, he couldn't imagine the frustrations of the traders as nobody from the Authority is explaining matters to them.

According to him, it took the Board Chairman of the GRA, Dr. Tony Oteng-Gyasi, to explain the cause for their action to him.

"Why should even call Board Chairman for Board Chairman to speak with me on phone for 30 minutes, explaining to me that it isn't like that? How?", he asked.