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Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the vice president, introduced the Ghana Revenue Authority’s electronic tax clearance certificate in Accra.
With the help of the Electronic Tax Clearance Certificate app, tax payers may complete three essential tasks simultaneously: access and generate their tax clearance certificates online; file their tax returns; and verify their tax compliance status.
Also, there are three ways to access the platform: via a QR Code, the platform’s online interface, or a USSD short code *880#, using a smart or “yam” phone.
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who has led the remarkable digital transformation of the government, introduced the platform and stated that the introduction of the Electronic Tax Clearance Certificate by the GRA further demonstrates the commitment of the government to its digitalization agenda.
Dr. Bawumia praised the GRA for introducing what he called “life-changing solutions,” like as the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) at the ports, among many others he highlighted, by utilizing the government’s digitalization push and the transformation of service delivery through technology.
“The introduction of the Electronic VAT platform – E VAT – has also signaled the beginning of an era of transparency and accountability in VAT. Over the years the contribution of VAT to Government revenue has gradually declined and Government had to find ways to remedy this situation,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“Furthermore, the introduction of the cashless mode of payment of taxes has enabled taxpayers to pay taxes conveniently through either mobile money, bank transfer or other cashless means. The introduction of the Ghana.gov platform has also enabled us pay for provision of government services digitally and conveniently.”
The Vice President expressed his happiness at the introduction of “digital remedies,” which he claimed will “revolutionize the manual means of providing services in the Public Service.”
He mentioned some of these initiatives, such as the establishment of the Ghana Card as a special identification for people in Ghana.
“Apart from helping build on our national identification system by leveraging on technology, the Ghana Card helps to identify individuals for tax purposes.”
“Your Ghana Card is also your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). In effect, your Ghana Card is your reference for registration, filing of returns, making payments of tax due and accessing other services provided by GRA.”
“Other areas of digitalization that have transformed lives and businesses are the Digital Addressing System which helps to identify and locate places, the National Electronic Pharmacy Platform (NEPP) which enables you to order lifesaving drugs; the Mobile Money Interoperability which lets you have a bank account in your pocket; medical drones which are helping to deliver medical supplies to inaccessible areas faster, thereby saving lives.”
“These are but a few of the many initiatives of how technology has improved services for all of us,” Dr. Bawumia said.
Before officially declaring the Electronic Tax Clearance Certificate launched, Dr. Bawumia touched on the significance of submitting and declaring tax returns to the development of a nation.
“Let me use this platform to urge all Ghanaians and indeed all who earn incomes in Ghana to faithfully submit their tax returns and to declare any taxes due.”
“Taxes are the life blood of any country and are used to build nations. When we faithfully declare and pay our taxes we will be in a position to hold government accountable to what our tax money is being used for. Let us really join hands to develop the country.”
