Fiifi Coleman recounts how GRA officials threatened to end his show over unpaid taxes

Renowned playwright and actor, Fiifi Coleman has shared a bitter experience about how officials from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) threatened to abruptly end one of his productions over unpaid taxes.

In an interview on Monday, January 20, Fiifi Coleman disclosed that he received a call from GRA staff moments before he was ready to go on stage demanding him to immediately sign a letter.

Despite Coleman said he was unavailable to sign the letter, the GRA officials insisted he come to sign or else they would use a police order to interrupt the production.

“I was like, ‘I’m about to go on stage. I am backstage. Any of my staff out there is authorized to sign that letter.’

They said no, they want me.

I said, ‘I am not available to come. So how do we handle this?’ They said they would call the police to stop the show because I owed them,” he said on Hitz FM.

He criticised the GRA’s approach to tax collection noting that while he understands the importance of paying taxes, the timing and manner of their demands were problematic.

He also pointed out the disparity in tax treatment, mentioning that some individuals negotiate flat amounts with the GRA, a practice that is not widely known or taught.

“I just found out that you can negotiate with them and pay a flat amount, which is what some learned people do, but they didn’t teach us that way.

“Some very key people don’t pay what we pay. The GRA officials don’t even come to the events.

“It is so embarrassing when your VVIPs are coming through, and the tax agents are standing at the entrance counting them and checking tickets,” he said.

The playwright advocated for a more rational process in collecting tax, suggesting that taxes be assessed annually based on multiple events rather than immediately after each show.

He argued that this would prevent undue pressure and threats from the GRA, allowing artists to focus on their performances without fear of sudden disruptions.

“So let’s say you (the GRA) came to all my four shows in a year at the National Theatre. At the end of the year, you tell me how much I owe in taxes.

“That way, if I don’t have the bulk sum of money to pay after a show, GRA won’t threaten to shut down my company because of certain issues,” he said.