GRA workers criticize Bawumia over ‘harassment’ comment

The Ghana Revenue Authority Workers’ Union has slammed Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), for a comment he made on the GRA’s revenue mobilization methods.

During a meeting with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Bawumia raised concerns about GRA staff harassment regarding taxes.

In response to this comment, the GRA union, in a statement dated Friday, March 22, 2024, described Dr Bawumia’s comment as “unfortunate” due to “the diligent efforts of GRA employees”.

“We would like to state unequivocally that we, the workers of GRA, find this statement unfortunate and consider it an attack on the efforts of the hard-working staff of the Authority, which, if not discontinued, would incur the displeasure of workers, disrupt revenue collection efforts, and breed industrial disharmony.”

The group further urged the Vice President to either acknowledge the significant advancements made by GRA or refrain from making remarks that undermine their work.

They highlighted the contradiction in Dr. Bawumia’s stance, given his role as Head of the Economic Management Team and his awareness of the government-set targets for the Authority through the Ministry of Finance.

“It is strange that the Vice President, who also doubles as the Head of the Economic Management Team, could suggest that the Authority gives itself unrealistic targets while he is well aware that annual targets are assigned to the Authority by the government through the Ministry of Finance.

“Indeed, the least we expect from the Vice President, if he would not appreciate the efforts of the Authority in raising tax revenue, is not to put the lives of our hardworking staff at risk with such unfortunate comments.”

“We also call on the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the GRA Board, Civil Society organizations and all well-meaning Ghanaians to admonish political functionaries to desist from making such pronouncements and intervene swiftly as this statement poses a major risk to revenue mobilization efforts going forward”.