The Organized Labour of the Ghana Revenue Authority Workers’ Union has strongly criticized Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), for his recent remarks regarding the revenue mobilization methods employed by the GRA.
During a meeting with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Bawumia voiced concerns about the alleged use of tax collection by GRA staff as a pretext for harassing businesses.
Responding to these comments, the Organized Labour issued a statement dated Friday, March 22, 2024, describing Dr. Bawumia’s remarks as “unfortunate” and viewed them as undermining the diligent efforts of GRA employees. They emphasized, “We would like to state unequivocally that we, the workers of GRA, find this statement unfortunate and consider it as an attack on the efforts of the hard-working staff of the Authority which, if not discontinued, would incur the displeasure of workers, disrupt revenue collection efforts, and breed industrial disharmony.”
The group cautioned that such statements could lead to worker discontent, hinder revenue collection, and cause industrial unrest. Furthermore, they urged the Vice President to acknowledge the significant advancements made by GRA or refrain from making remarks that undermine their work.
Highlighting the contradiction in Dr. Bawumia’s stance, given his role as Head of the Economic Management Team and his awareness of the government-set targets for the Authority through the Ministry of Finance, they stated, “It is strange that the Vice President, who also doubles as the Head of the Economic Management Team, could suggest that the Authority gives itself unrealistic targets while he is well aware that annual targets are assigned to the Authority by the government through the Ministry of Finance. Indeed, the least we expect from the Vice President, if he would not appreciate the efforts of the Authority in raising Tax Revenue, is not to put the lives of our hardworking staff at risk with such unfortunate comments.”
Organized Labour highlighted the potential adverse effects of the Vice President’s statements on future revenue mobilization efforts and appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to address the issue with his Vice.
“We also call on the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the GRA Board, Civil Society organizations, and all well-meaning Ghanaians to admonish political functionaries to desist from making such pronouncements and intervene swiftly, as this statement poses a significant risk to revenue mobilization efforts going forward.”
Below is the statement:
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