The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has unveiled a new tax strategy centered around data-driven analytics to boost revenue collection. The strategy, which was announced at a seminar in Ho, aims to leverage modern statistical tools to improve revenue mobilisation and strengthen compliance.
Deepening Data Analytics in Tax Administration
The GRA has said it is deepening the use of data analytics in tax administration, with a focus on improving revenue mobilisation, strengthening compliance, and supporting evidence-based decision-making. According to Elsie Appau-Klu, Technical Advisor to the Commissioner-General of the GRA, the country's revenue administration system must evolve to keep pace with a rapidly changing and increasingly digital economy.
Ghana continues to face significant revenue mobilisation challenges, with the country's tax-to-GDP ratio remaining below potential. Only about half of the expected Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue is currently being collected, while corporate income tax performance also remains below expectations.
Four Key Roles for Modern Statisticians
Mrs Appau-Klu identified four critical roles for modern statisticians: detectives, risk managers, policy advisers, and guardians of data integrity. As detectives, statisticians should use data to identify untapped segments of the economy, uncover emerging business activities, and detect inconsistencies between economic activity and tax performance.
On risk management, Mrs Appau-Klu said the Authority will harness analytical tools to identify high-risk sectors, unusual compliance patterns, and emerging tax threats. She explained that effective risk management would enable the Authority to allocate resources more efficiently while reducing unnecessary compliance burdens on taxpayers who are meeting their obligations.
Focus on Regional Intelligence and Predictive Models
The seminar should produce practical outcomes rather than end with presentations and certificates, Mrs Appau-Klu said. She identified three priority areas for participants: strengthening regional revenue intelligence, improving predictive revenue models, and developing practical, data-driven initiatives that can be implemented before the end of 2026.
According to her, stronger analytical profiles of different regions would help the Authority identify growth sectors, detect revenue leakages, and better understand variations in the performance of Taxpayer Service Centres. She also called for more robust forecasting systems capable of identifying deviations in revenue collections early enough to support management interventions.
Data-Driven Tax Administration
The GRA is committed to confidentiality, information security, and the responsible use of taxpayer information, Mrs Appau-Klu said. She emphasized the importance of data integrity, warning that poor-quality data could undermine decision-making and lead to ineffective policies.
The Authority is expanding data integration and analytical capabilities, and the seminar is a key step in this process. With the focus on data-driven tax administration, the GRA aims to become increasingly intelligent, responsive, and effective in its revenue mobilisation efforts.
As the GRA continues to evolve and adapt to the changing economy, one thing is clear: data will play a central role in shaping the country's tax administration strategy. The GRA's commitment to data-driven tax administration is a step in the right direction, and it will be interesting to see the impact of this new strategy on revenue collection and tax compliance in the coming months.
Source: Joy Online
