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

Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, the Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, has called upon fellow tax administrators in the West African sub-region to embrace modernisation as part of their tax reforms. Speaking at the three-day West African Tax Administrators Forum in Accra, Sarpong argued that incorporating cutting-edge technology into Ghana's tax reforms has revolutionised collection and makes it a viable option.

At the forum, Sarpong highlighted the importance of technology in tax mobilisation, stating that "the future of revenue mobilisation is digital, and we must meet it on the front foot." He stressed that embracing e-filing, e-payment, and digital invoicing can make compliance easier and deter evasion. Sarpong also advocated for the deployment of data analytics and artificial intelligence to better understand taxpayers, segment risk, and target audits more effectively.

Furthermore, Sarpong emphasised the need to integrate tax systems with those of banks, registrars, and customs to ensure a comprehensive view of the economy and broaden the tax base. He concluded by stressing that technology should not merely modernise tax offices but humanise service delivery. The Executive Secretary of the forum, Jules Tapsoba, noted that the platform provided by this forum has assisted many countries in enhancing their revenue mobilisation since its inception.

The forum's theme for the year is "Building Stronger Tax Administrations for Revenue Mobilisation and Sustainable Development."