Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has charged the newly constituted nine-member Governing Board of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to play a critical role in strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation amid ongoing fiscal challenges.
The Board is chaired by George Ricketts Hagan, former Deputy Finance Minister and Member of Parliament for Cape Coast South. Other members include Anthony Sarpong (GRA Commissioner), Mr. Patrick Nomo, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, Dr. Zakaria Mumuni, Madam Faustina Nelson, Mr. George Ayiretey, Laadi Ayamba, and Francis-Xavier Sosu.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony on Friday, May 3, 2025, in Accra, Dr. Forson commended President John Dramani Mahama for appointing what he described as a “distinguished team of esteemed and accomplished individuals” to steer the GRA’s governance.
“This is a defining moment. You assume this mantle at a time when the government faces significant fiscal constraints—tight financing conditions, limited capital market access following debt restructuring, and dwindling grants from development partners.”
Dr. Forson also revealed that the government is aiming to increase revenue by 0.6 percentage points of GDP annually, targeting a 1.5% primary surplus by 2025 and reducing Ghana’s external debt service-to-revenue ratio from 28% in 2022 to 18% by 2028.
He cited the withdrawal of over US$78 million in USAID funding for health and US$156 million for education and economic programmes as a stark reminder of the urgent need to build a resilient domestic revenue base.
Dr. Forson outlined several strategic focus areas for the new Board and GRA management. These include accelerating the modernisation of the Authority’s operations, building a culture of integrity, combating smuggling, reforming internal operations, and fostering closer collaboration with the Ministry of Finance’s Revenue Policy Division.
“The Ghanaian public must have unwavering confidence in GRA’s commitment to fairness and ethical conduct. Every cedi lost through corruption translates to unbuilt schools, unpaved roads, and inadequate healthcare.”
The Minister also announced a new two-year rotation policy for GRA officers to minimise collusion risks and broaden institutional capacity. Additionally, a Performance Bonus Memorandum of Understanding will be signed with the Commissioner-General, witnessed by the Commissioners of Domestic Tax and Customs, to strengthen operational accountability.
Dr. Forson reaffirmed the Ministry’s full support for the new Board and reiterated the importance of their role in national development.
“Let us remember that every tax cedi collected—and every integrity-driven decision made—brings us closer to building the prosperous, inclusive, and self-reliant Ghana We All Want Together.”
