Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has accused the previous NPP administration of leaving behind a “mess” in the handling of the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) contract, telling Parliament that the current government has been forced to correct multiple procedural violations and avert serious financial risks.
Updating the House on the state of the contract, Dr. Forson revealed that the NPP government committed Ghana to a binding agreement with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) on November 4, 2024 without obtaining the constitutionally required parliamentary approval.
He warned that failure to execute the contract at this stage would have exposed the country to a hefty judgment debt.
The Minister also disclosed that the former administration had granted sweeping tax exemptions to the contractor, concessions he described as excessive and fiscally irresponsible.
Dr. Forson told lawmakers that the current government has since renegotiated the contract, reversing several of the exemptions and securing savings of about US$10 million for the state.
“We have corrected what they failed to do and protected the public purse,” he said.
Dr. Forson further reminded Parliament that it was the NPP itself that agreed with the IMF to make the ITAS contract a structural benchmark to be completed before the end of 2024.
He then revealed that the IMF has now upgraded that requirement to a prior action necessary for Ghana’s next programme review.
Dr. Forson stressed that the Mahama-led administration remains committed to responsible governance, rule of law, and prudent fiscal management.
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