Africa-Press – Ghana. The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intensified its national tax education campaign with an outreach at the Ashaiman market, sensitising traders on the newly introduced Modified Taxation Scheme (MTS).
The MTS is a simplified system designed to make tax payment easier and more convenient for informal sector taxpayers.
The engagement forms part of the Sustained Tax Education Programme (STEP), a three-year nationwide initiative being rolled out jointly by the Ministry of Finance and the GRA.
The programme aims to ensure that tax information reaches every segment of the population, including market traders, students, artisans, and business owners.
The event also saw free health screening organised by the GRA for the market women, traders, hairdressers, drivers, among others.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Madam Florence Asante, Deputy Commissioner for Communications and Public Affairs at the GRA, said government had listened to the concerns raised by taxpayers about difficulties in meeting their tax obligations, leading to the roll-out of the MTS.
She said the new scheme was built to remove barriers and make tax compliance seamless.
“The MTS is meant to make taxation simple, very easy and efficient for everybody who is required to pay taxes. It allows you to sit in your shop, dial *880#, access the platform and pay your taxes conveniently,” she added.
Madam Asante said the outreach in Ashaiman formed part of efforts to ensure traders had no reason to default due to lack of information or accessibility.
She noted that paying taxes was not only a civic duty but a direct contribution to national development.
“Your taxes go into road construction, schools, hospitals, and all the amenities the government is required to provide. When you pay, you can proudly say you have contributed to national progress,” she said.
The Deputy Commissioner urged the public to take advantage of GRA’s toll-free line, 0800 900 110, available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in all local languages, to seek assistance or clarifications.
“We believe that once people have the right information, it becomes easier for them to pay the taxes they are supposed to pay and remain compliant,” she said.
She added that the STEP campaign covered all regions and districts, with support from the Information Services Department.
Madam Asante said the GRA remained committed to building a culture of voluntary compliance through sustained education, accessibility, and taxpayer-friendly reforms.
Mr. Yemoh Kwaku-Odoi, Manager of Ashaiman Task Service Centre, said Ashaiman was selected as one of the pilot locations for the rollout of the MTS.
He said MTS eliminated the need for taxpayers to file returns or visit GRA offices, as registration would be conducted directly within the communities.
“Once registered, taxpayers will be able to pay their taxes conveniently using their mobile phones, without the burden of travel or paperwork,” he added.
He said as part of the outreach, GRA officers delivered the education in six local languages to ensure broad understanding and acceptance of the new system.
Mr Kwaku-Odoi said the Ashaiman pilot covered a wide area, stretching from the main market through the Timber Market, and extending to Sege and Ada.
He added that these areas had been zoned, with designated representatives assigned to handle registration and support.
The Manager expressed optimism that although individual tax amounts may be small, the large number of informal-sector taxpayers would contribute significantly to national revenue.
He said registration had begun, and that many taxpayers in the pilot communities had already started making payments through the new platform.
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