The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has unveiled an ambitious plan to bring eight million new taxpayers into the national tax net as part of a major initiative to expand the country’s revenue base and strengthen domestic resource mobilisation.
The move is expected to increase Ghana’s current taxpayer population estimated at 19 million through two flagship programmes: the Sustained Tax Education Programme and the Modified Taxation Scheme (MTS). According to the GRA, successfully onboarding the additional taxpayers could generate up to GH¢40 billion in extra domestic revenue over the next few years.
Speaking at the launch in Accra, Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong described the new measures as one of the Authority’s most significant revenue expansion strategies in recent times. He explained that the reforms aim to simplify tax compliance, especially for informal sector operators, and ensure long-term fiscal stability.
“The Modified Tax Scheme has huge potential. Our analysis shows that if we are able to bring at least two million new taxpayers into the net each year, we can significantly increase domestic revenue and support national development,” Mr Sarpong stated.
He noted that the informal sector estimated to include about eight million economically active individuals and businesses presents the greatest opportunity for expanding the tax base.
Under the first phase of the rollout, the GRA plans to enrol two million new taxpayers annually over the next three years, before scaling up further in the second phase.
The Authority believes that a combination of simplified tax processes, improved public education, and enhanced digital tools will encourage voluntary compliance and reduce revenue leakages.
Mr Sarpong emphasised that the expected revenue boost will be crucial for financing priority government programmes and reducing Ghana’s reliance on external borrowing. He called on the public, private sector partners, and civil society organisations to support the effort to modernise the tax system and build a more sustainable domestic revenue framework.
