The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has denied allegations that its employees harassed Kennedy Agyapong, the Member of Parliament for Assin Central.
According to the GRA, allegations of an unjustified audit of the MP’s companies’ accounts are false.
“The goal of these audits is to measure and improve compliance while fine-tuning controls. The factory in question, as well as other companies, were thus audited to determine the value of imported goods and their intended use. “We wish to disclose that approximately thirty (30) such risk-based activities were carried out on a number of businesses in January and February 2023,” the company said in a release.
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The MP, who is also a flagbearer candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), recently claimed that his businesses have been targeted as a result of his decision to run for president.
In his quest to lead the NPP in the 2024 NPP elections, he claims that state institutions are frustrating and intimidating him.
However, according to the statement, the Authority’s officials have been carrying out their mandate in accordance with World Customs Organization guidelines, ensuring adherence to best practices.
“GRA wishes to categorically refute the specific allegation of harassment at the MP’s factory under construction. We would like to clarify that such exercises are conducted on a regular basis as part of the GRA’s mandate and in accordance with World Customs Organization (WCO) guidelines to ensure adherence to best practices.
Here is the full statement
ALLEGED HARASSMENT OF HON. KENNEDY AGYAPONG BY GRA
Management of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has sighted a recording of a media interview by the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central constituency, Honourable Kennedy Agyapong circulating on social media in which he accused GRA Officials of constant harassment through unwarranted audits of his companies.
GRA wishes to categorically refute the specific allegation of harassment at a factory under construction owned by the MP. We wish to clarify that as part of GRA’s mandate and in line with World Customs Organization’s (WCO’s) guidelines in ensuring adherence to best practices; such exercises are regularly conducted. The purpose of such audits, are to measure and improve compliance whiles fine tuning controls. The factory in question together with other companies were thus audited to check the value of goods imported and their intended use.
We wish to disclose that in January and February 2023, about thirty (30) of such risk-based activities were carried out on a number of businesses. Furthermore, in the area of enforcement and compliance, GRA carries out invoice invigilation exercises to ascertain Value Added Tax (VAT) paid by VAT registered businesses. These exercises entail stationing staff on the premises of VAT registered businesses such as shops, restaurants and manufacturing sites to check the issuance of VAT invoices.
In September 2022, invigilation exercises were intensified nationwide in order to enforce the issuance of VAT invoices and to encourage persons who buy goods and patronize services to demand for VAT invoices. This exercise was very successful and GRA intends to scale up the invoice invigilation exercise from April 2023 as part of its revenue mobilization efforts.
In carrying out all these enforcement and compliance activities, staff of GRA have been advised to remain professional and act at all times with integrity as required by the Authority’s Code of Ethics and Conduct.
We therefore encourage any member of the public who has evidence of any alleged corrupt practice by an official of the Authority to report such criminal acts to the Management of GRA on 0800-900-110 for redress.
Management wishes to use this opportunity to assure Honourable Kennedy Agyapong and all taxpayers of our readiness to receive complaints and feedback on our work as we partner to mobilise revenue for national development. We also wish to state that GRA remains committed to carrying out its mandate of revenue mobilization with integrity, fairness and utmost professionalism.
–End–
SIGNED
FLORENCE ASANTE (MRS)
COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
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