Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
The Ghana Revenue Authority Workers Union (GRAWU) has described as disappointing some statements by Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia that the GRA is harassing taxpayers.
According to GRAWU members, such statements can cause worker dissatisfaction, impede revenue collection and cause industrial unrest.
In a statement sighted by JoyNews, the union also highlighted the contradictions in Dr Bawumia’s position considering his role as head of the economic management team.
“The Vice President, who is also the head of the economic management team, suggests that the authorities are setting unrealistic targets, knowing that the government, through the Ministry of Finance, assigns annual targets to the authorities. “That’s strange,” the statement read in part.
The union further appealed to President Nana Akufo-Addo to address the issue as the Vice President’s comments could have a negative impact on revenue collection in the country.
“We also urge President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the GRA Board of Directors, civil society organizations and all well-meaning Ghanaians to ensure that political parties We urge those who have made such comments to refrain from making such statements and to intervene promptly in the future.”
The rebuttal by the union follows concerns expressed by Dr Bawumia at a meeting with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday, March 20th.
According to Dr Bawumia, the reason companies are currently paying too much GRA tax is because they are setting unrealistic targets for their executives.
“They’re harassing businesses. That harassment comes from kind of a target created within the office.
“They’re setting unrealistic goals, and this is because the tax base is so narrow. You say to them, ‘Here’s my goal for this month,’ and they have no idea where to go.” That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“And it’s so easy for them to just go back to where they were last time. They have to go to the taxpayers, the people who already pay taxes, and come up with new reasons why they should pay more, so every You come up with different kinds of things,” Dr. Bawumia said.
But in response, the Organized Labor Party condemned the Vice President’s comments in a statement on Friday, March 22, 2024.
“We at the GRA regret this statement and believe it is an attack on the efforts of the agency’s hard-working employees, which, if not discontinued, will lead to worker dissatisfaction and disruption to their incomes. I would like to state unequivocally that recall efforts will be undertaken and industrial disharmony will result.”
Please read the union’s statement below.
![](https://www.myjoyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WhatsApp-Image-2024-03-23-at-17.57.19_63ec87b1-734x1024.jpg)
![](https://www.myjoyonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WhatsApp-Image-2024-03-23-at-17.57.19_63ec87b1-734x1024.jpg)
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