Nine institutions owe state GH¢47m in tax arrears
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has revealed that nine institutions across the country owe the state a combined GHS47 million in unpaid taxes, raising fresh concerns about compliance and the financial health of state-owned enterprises.
The disclosure was made by the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Monday, 25 August 2025.
He told the Committee that the Authority is implementing measures to recover the arrears and strengthen monitoring systems.
At the top of the debtors’ list is Graphic Communications Group Limited, which owes GHS3.4 million. Ghana Industrial Holding Corporation (GIHOC) Distilleries follows with GHS2.1 million, while the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), already battling operational and liquidity challenges, was cited as owing GHS136,000.
Mr Sarpong noted that many of the indebted institutions, particularly state-owned enterprises, have blamed persistent cash flow difficulties for their defaults.
He stressed, however, that the GRA is determined to recover every pesewa, regardless of the excuses.
“We are working to strengthen enforcement measures. These include garnishee orders, audits and strict timelines for payment. The GRA will not compromise on compliance, because unpaid taxes affect government revenue and public services,” Mr Sarpong told the Committee.
The Authority further disclosed that Value Added Tax (VAT) arrears remain a major concern, with an additional GHS116 million still outstanding. This was confirmed by the Commissioner for Domestic Tax Revenue, Edward Apenteng Gyamerah, who said VAT arrears cut across multiple institutions and pose a serious challenge to domestic revenue mobilisation.
Repeated defaults by state-owned enterprises have long troubled fiscal authorities, with economists warning that such practices deprive government of much-needed revenue and set a poor example for the private sector.
The PAC has urged the GRA to intensify recovery efforts and ensure that both public and private institutions honour their tax obligations.
Mr Sarpong assured the Committee that the Authority remains committed to improving compliance through a combination of enforcement, education and technology-driven monitoring.
He emphasised that the GRA is focused on plugging revenue leakages, broadening the tax net and ensuring fairness in the country’s tax administration.
