Commissioner-Basic of the Ghana Income Authority (GRA) has expressed shock on the resolution of the Nationwide Identification Authority (NIA) to air grievances over alleged money owed by way of the media.
Based on Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, the variations ought to as an alternative be resolved internally.
Talking on Pleasure Information’ PM Specific Enterprise Version on Thursday, August 21, he stated the GRA has already opened discussions with the NIA to deal with issues over claims that the Authority owes thousands and thousands of cedis.
“So the problem that has lately risen within the media, that, let me say, allegedly, Nationwide Identification Authority indicating that GRA owes them thousands and thousands of cedis, and for which purpose they’re denying GRA of the usage of the cardboard.
“Let’s step again and we’ll recall that within the earlier administration, authorities indicated that the usage of the Ghana Card ought to turn out to be the tax identification for people. You and I do know that the Nationwide Identification Authority is funded by authorities, and this challenge has been funded by authorities.
“What the info has been created is for establishments like GRA and others to have the ability to use that platform to additional different authorities’s work, and that’s what we’re doing, so far as the person taxpayers are involved.”
Mr. Sarpong defined that whereas some legacy preparations between the 2 businesses existed, they weren’t conclusive and had been the topic of ongoing discussions.
“Let me acknowledge that earlier than I took over this reign, or earlier than 2025, there was some type of legacy association between the NIA and GRA. A part of it was for NIA to say that as GRA receives the info, some quantity must be paid to NIA.
“However the different half was additionally that GRA made out there all its workplaces nationwide for NIA to function. In order we communicate right this moment, NIA has workplaces all in GRA workplaces for which GRA doesn’t pay, for which NIA doesn’t pay something to GRA. However these preparations weren’t conclusive.
“So so far as the demand for debt is anxious, once I took over, I’ve from management perspective engaged the Director Basic of NIA. We met right here in GRA workplaces, and we mentioned the matter, and we agreed that as leaders, we have to have a look at the problems and resolve them subsequently. I’ve additionally had a dialog with them, how what GRA believes the matter must be, and the way they need to.”
He harassed that the GRA was bowled over by NIA’s resolution to take the matter public.
“For us as GRA it got here as a matter of shock. That’s one thing that we’re talking on is legacy. As leaders, we got here to satisfy, now we have opened the door and accepted them to debate additional and resolve.
“So it was an enormous shock to listen to our sister company attempting to take the matter to the media and remedy it there. It’s necessary to acknowledge that when you will have issues, you can not remedy all of it within the media. It’s a matter that we have to sit, to dialog, to debate in a spirit of collaborative method and remedy it.”
Mr. Sarpong maintained that the GRA had prolonged an expert hand of cooperation to the NIA and urged them to reciprocate.
“So you’ll discover that from GRA perspective, now we have prolonged one other skilled arm to our sister company to say, look, let’s sit down. We all know there are points on this space. We don’t absolutely agree along with your assertions and claims, however we’re ready to steer a option to focus on and to resolve the matter. So we’ve prolonged a hand to them to steer and resolve.
“I imagine that that’s what management is for, and the 2 of us are authorities establishments to serve the individuals. Our actions shouldn’t result in destabilising service to the individuals or disturbing our core mandate. So we’re dedicated to work with NIA, and we name upon them to tackle the hand that now we have prolonged and allow us to resolve the matter and take care of it.”
He additionally rejected experiences that the alleged standoff was disrupting commerce on the ports.
“What additionally got here out was the damaging or the wrong information to say that as a result of NIA has taken that motion, individuals can’t clear their stations. You communicate proper now, it isn’t an correct account. So should you have a look at tax administration system right this moment, now we have the people which we’re utilizing the Ghana card, and companies which GRA generates by itself. Most of those importers run on enterprise TIN.
“We don’t depend on Ghana Card. And subsequently it couldn’t have been that should you don’t have your Ghana Card at use, you can not import. So I wish to use this medium to guarantee all importers that one, that’s not the scenario. We’ve got not had any single grievance from any importer. Most of the people must be assured that that’s not the scenario. After which we’re additionally working with NIA to resolve the matter.”
He clarified that the Ghana Card validation course of solely applies to new taxpayers, not present ones.
“Certainly, as soon as your Ghana Card is as soon as validated in your system, it’s not one thing we validate on a regular basis. So if you’re already in our system, you aren’t impacted.
“It’s only wanted when a brand new taxpayer workplaces and so they present their Ghana card, then we go to NIA and say, someone has confirmed their Ghana card. Is it issued by you?
“And, subsequently, for present taxpayers, each company and people, this matter will not be having any affect in any respect. And subsequently that’s why, as we are saying, that it was inaccurate, the put up that was.”
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Feedback, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform don’t essentially signify the views or coverage of Multimedia Group Restricted.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Feedback, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform don’t essentially signify the views or coverage of Multimedia Group Restricted.
Source link
