A comprehensive master plan to modernise Ghana’s tax administration system has been unveiled at a ceremony in Accra, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation and reduce reliance on borrowing.
The Ghana Tax Modernisation Master Plan, developed with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Korea Institute of Public Finance (KIPF), provides a blueprint for transforming tax administration through technology, institutional strengthening, and capacity building.
The unveiling climaxed a two-day event which began on August 3 and ended yesterday at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra.
Speaking at the project completion ceremony, Deputy Minister for Finance Thomas Nyarko Ampem described the initiative as a nation-building investment in stronger institutions, better governance, and ultimately in Ghana’s future.
“We cannot build Ghana by continuously going to borrow money,It is that approach that led us to what we saw in 2022-23, when we had to painfully restructure our debt,If we are minded to develop Ghana, we must do so by mobilising domestic resources,” he said.
Mr Nyarko- Ampem, who also chairs the project’s Steering Committee, noted that while Ghana’s tax-to-GDP ratio has improved from approximately 12.3 per cent to about 14 per cent in 2025, it remains below the average for countries at similar levels of development.
According to him the master plan provides a clear implementation framework supported by capacity building, monitoring arrangements, and quality assurance mechanisms to ensure reforms produce measurable and sustainable outcomes.
He said successful implementation is expected to strengthen voluntary compliance, enhance transparency, improve efficiency, increase domestic revenue mobilisation, and create fiscal space for critical investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, energy, and creation of jobs
The project, which commenced in December 2023 with a total budget of US$2.2 million, stems from the 2020 Korea Sharing Programme policy consultation on strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation in Ghana.
The master plan covers four key areas: income tax, Value Added Tax, tax administration, and e-tax administration.
Early results
Ghana Revenue Authority Commissioner-General Anthony Sarpong highlighted early successes from ongoing modernisation efforts, particularly the implementation of artificial intelligence at the country’s customs valuation system.
A modern tax system contributes to stronger fiscal stability, greater public confidence, and more sustainable economic growth,but most importantly, when the nation develops, citizens are given the opportunity to achieve their aspirations individually and collectively for overall national good,” Mr sarpong stated.
He expressed the Ministry of Finance and the Ghana Revenue Authority appreciation to the Korean government, KOICA, KIPF, and all stakeholders for their commitment and technical expertise in bringing the project to completion.
According to him the customs revenue has seen significant improvement since the programme began in April, moving from an average of GH¢4 billion per month last year to GH¢5.5 billion between April and June. He added that in July alone, revenue rose to GH¢6.1 billion.
“At the Ghana Revenue Authority, we are particularly encouraged that the tax modernisation system is well embraced within our current reform architecture, the vision and recommendations captured in the plan strongly reflect this vision and align with the reform agenda to improve domestic revenue mobilisation, improve compliance, enhance service delivery to taxpayers, and deepen digital transformation,” he stated.
The Commissioner-General stressed that the success of any strategy lies not in the plan itself but in its execution.
“If we don’t implement and implement it well, the results will not come,the real work is beginning the execution,”he stated.
Strategic partnership
The Korean Ambassador to Ghana Kyongsig Park who was present at the event underscored the strong bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
He called for more of such collaborations to improve the lot
Of both countries.
Professor Chul-In Lee of Seoul National University, presenting findings on behalf of Professor Myung-Ho Park of Hongik University, noted that Ghana’s income tax system is well designed on paper but faces implementation challenges due to the large informal sector, limited administrative capacity, and restricted access to financial services.
He recommended a gradual approach to reform, combining presumptive taxation with efforts to expand the income tax base as industrialisation and urbanisation progress.
He said the Modified Taxation Scheme, which brings informal sector taxpayers into a simplified tax regime, is an innovative first step and a genuine stepping stone toward a more efficient and scientific approach to tax administration.
