Public Accounts Committee Chair calls for greater openness in tax collection

Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has urged the Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA) to step up efforts to recover unpaid taxes from public institutions and businesses named in the Auditor-General’s reports.

The committee asked the authority to check the amounts owed and collect payments from organisations including Ghana Airports Company Limited, Ghana Water Company and the Electricity Company of Ghana.

The call came as the GRA reported collecting more taxes than expected by the end of September.

The committee’s chairperson, Abena Osei Asare praised the authority and the Auditor-General but called for greater openness in tax collection, stressing that taxpayers should pay only what the law requires.

Representatives of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority(NPRA) also appeared at the hearing, with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition and its agencies next to face the committee.

The PAC also engaged officials from the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) on Thursday, October 15. The Chief Executive Officer of the NPA Mr. Godwin Kudzo Tameklo, has reported to the PAC significant progress in addressing licensing irregularities.

He revealed that, as of May 2026, 93% had obtained the required vehicle licences, while the remaining 7% yet to be licenced have been suspended.

He further cautioned the public against siphoning fuel from tankers involved in road accidents, stressing that the practice is illegal and punishable by law.

The PAC also commended the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), under the Ministry of Energy, for repaying GHC1.3billion out of the GHC1.4 billion taxes owed to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), following tax irregularities identified in the 2025 Auditor-General’s Report.

The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Commission, Mr. Nasir Alfa Mohammed has reaffirmed its commitment to regulatory compliance, assuring the committee that appropriate sanctions, including administrative penalties, would be imposed on individuals and entities found to have breached the law.

Ghana National Gas Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Madam Judith Adjobah Blay provided explanations regarding its unoccupied office properties in Kumasi and Takoradi, outlined pipeline safety awareness measures to prevent galamsey encroachment, and assured the committee on the completion of its CSR Senior High School infrastructure projects, by year-end.

The committee urged management to ensure that the properties are put to effective use or disposed of if they are no longer required for the company’s operations.