In a bold move aimed at directing Ghana towards fiscal sustainability, Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has inaugurated the new board of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), highlighting a strategic agenda to improve revenue mobilisation and reduce the nation’s fiscal deficit.
Speaking during the ceremony on Friday, May 2, 2025, Dr. Forson emphasized that the government is embarking on a fiscal consolidation strategy designed to shift the primary balance from a deficit of 3.9% of GDP to a surplus of 1.5% by end of 2025 and beyond.
He noted that an essential part of this strategy is enhancing domestic revenue mobilisation.
“We are embarking on a fiscal consolidation objective of improving the primary balance on a commitment basis… An integral part of this strategy is domestic revenue mobilisation,” he stated.
The Finance Minister outlined a yearly target of increasing revenue collection by at least 0.6 percentage points of GDP.
This, he explained, is not only to meet the 1.5% primary surplus goal but also to achieve debt sustainability by reducing the external debt service-to-revenue ratio.
In addition, Dr. Forson announced a comprehensive modernisation of the GRA, focusing on digital transformation and automation of tax systems.
He stressed that these reforms are intended to boost operational efficiency, minimise tax avoidance, and enhance the overall taxpayer experience.
“This is not merely upgrading systems but transforming GRA’s operational efficiency. A modern, efficient, and automated GRA will facilitate tax collection and significantly enhance the taxpayer experience,” he added.
Also, he did not shy away from the gravity of the challenge, stating “I want to acknowledge the enormity of the task ahead.
“You assume this mantle at a time when the government faces significant fiscal constraints, underscoring the urgent need to bolster domestic revenue mobilisation efforts.”
