GRA pushes data-driven tax administration to boost revenue mobilisation

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is increasingly relying on data analytics to enhance tax collection, improve compliance and guide evidence-based decision making. Speaking at the opening of the GRA's 2026 Statistics and Data Analysts Seminar, Technical Advisor Elsie Appau-Klu emphasized the need for the tax administration system to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital economy.

She noted that while traditional tax tools remain important, they are insufficient on their own. The seminar, running from August 18-22, is focusing on the role of modern statisticians and data analysts in driving revenue growth through data analytics. Four key roles were highlighted for modern statisticians: detectives, risk managers, policy advisers, and guardians of data integrity.

Detectives use data to identify untapped economic segments, emerging business activities and inconsistencies between economic activity and tax performance. Risk managers use analytical tools to identify high-risk sectors and detect unusual compliance patterns. Data analysts act as policy advisers by measuring the impact of tax reforms and compliance interventions.

They emphasised the importance of data integrity, warning that poor-quality data can undermine decision-making. The seminar aims to produce practical outcomes, including strengthening regional revenue intelligence, improving predictive revenue models, and developing data-driven initiatives to be implemented by the end of 2026.