Future of revenue mobilisation is digital – Commissioner General to West Africa tax administrators

The Commissioner General of Ghana Revenue Authority, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, has called upon his counterparts in the West African sub-region to focus on modernising their tax systems. Sarpong stated that the integration of modern technology into Ghana's tax reforms has significantly improved collection methods, making it a prime example.

During the three-day West African Tax Administrators Forum in Accra, Sarpong emphasised the importance of technological innovation in revenue mobilisation. He stressed that "the future of revenue mobilisation is digital" and urged the adoption of e-filing, e-payment, and digital invoicing to streamline compliance and curb evasion.

Sarpong further advocated for the use of data analytics and artificial intelligence to better understand taxpayers, target risk areas, and optimise audits. Additionally, he recommended integrating tax systems with those of banks, registrars, and customs to create a more comprehensive view of the economy and expand the tax base. Above all, Sarpong highlighted that technology should be used to serve taxpayers, as every reduction in queues, simplification of forms, and facilitation of tax payments through mobile phones contribute to voluntary compliance.

Sarpong concluded by stating, "Technology must not merely modernise our offices; it must humanise our service." The 8th West African Tax Administrators Forum took place alongside the 15th anniversary of the association's establishment. The forum's Executive Secretary, Jules Tapsoba, noted that the platform provided by the forum has aided numerous countries in enhancing their revenue mobilisation since its inception.

The theme of this year's forum, "Building Stronger Tax Administrations for Revenue Mobilisation and Sustainable Development," underscores the importance of technology in achieving these goals.