The Government of Ghana has, in a bid to ramp up revenue mobilization efforts, commenced processes to establish tax courts in the country to deal with tax related issues. The situation has become necessary due to what economic watchers say is the dwindling government revenues and the high debt burden on the country which effectively curtails the government’s ability to continue to borrow from foreign markets and lenders. The tax courts will thus be an avenue to settle tax related issues expeditiously and also serve as a deterrent to tax defaulters thereby helping government to improve its revenue mobilization drive.
In a letter from the Chief Justice, Justice Anin Yeboah to the Ghana Bar Association, a copy of which has been sighted by the Afropolitanonline, the Chief Justice has requested the Bar Association to submit any reservations or misgivings it might have as far as the establishment of the tax courts are concerned.
“We write to inform you that, upon representations made by the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Judicial Service is preparing to establish a Tax Court to deal with the prosecution of Tax Cases” the letter says.
“Please, if the Bar has any reservations or misgivings kindly let us know” the letter further states.
According to the Justice Anin Yeboah, the tax court in Accra will be located at the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal with the Supreme Court building.
Ghana currently loses over GHC 8 billion in tax revenues due to non-payment and non-compliance.
– Rodney Franklin
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