{
  "id": 15854482,
  "title": "Low tax revenue threatens Ghana’s development ambitions — ISSER",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/low-tax-revenue-threatens-ghanas-development-ambitions-isser-15854482",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-21T00:47:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/low-tax-revenue-threatens-ghanas-development-ambitions-isser/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana must broaden its tax base and improve domestic revenue collection to fund its development goals, the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) has cautioned. The country's tax revenue remains below the average for sub-Saharan Africa, leaving limited room for infrastructure development, job creation, and economic growth without resorting to further spending cuts or fiscal measures. ISSER's State of the Ghanaian Economy Report 2025, presented by Director Professor Robert Darko Osei, highlights that Ghana's tax revenue constituted only about 30% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025, significantly lower than the sub-Saharan African average. Osei emphasized the need to expand the tax net, targeting more individuals and businesses to increase revenue. The report's findings raise questions about Ghana's ability to generate sufficient domestic revenue to meet rising expenditure and investment needs as the economy recovers. The country's planned economic rebasing could also affect the tax-to-GDP ratio if revenue collection does not rise accordingly. While Ghana's fiscal position in 2025 improved through expenditure restraint, ISSER's assessment suggests that controlling expenditure alone will not resolve the long-term challenge of financing development. Broadening the tax base is crucial, which involves improving compliance and integrating more economic activity into the tax system. Ghana must increase its tax rates and enhance compliance to sustain its fiscal gains and create room for investing in public services and economic development.",
  "summary": "Ghana must widen its tax net and improve domestic revenue mobilisation to fund its development priorities, the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) has warned.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}