The Bolgatanga Collection of the Ghana Revenue Authority Customs Division failed to meet its target set for the year 2016 although it made great strides.
This was revealed by the Sector Commander of the Bolgatanga Collection of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Mr. Henry A. Atampugbire at a Press Soiree held at the Blue Sky hotel in the Upper East regional capital, Bolgatanga.
According to him, the year 2016 was a very difficult year in terms of Revenue Performance and although his outfit was tasked to collect a total of GH9,650,000, the target was missed narrowly because the Authority was able to collect 9,376,387.37.
“With regards to the performance of the Bolgatanga Collection of the Customs Operations, the year 2016 was a difficult one in terms of our Revenue Performance. The Bolga Collection was tasked to collect total revenue of Gh 9,650,000 but we missed the target narrowly as the Actual Revenue collected amounted to Gh 9,376,387.37. There was therefore of Gh 273,612.63, giving a deviation of -2.84%.”
He, however, noted that the authority was on course to achieve its target of the year but was challenged in the third quarter when there was an astronomical increase in the Revenue Target for the year.
Mr. Atampugbire added that the low commercial activities during the review period, the farming season and the uncertainty of the business community during election 2016 were also contributing factors to why the authority failed to meet its target.
He, however, was optimistic that the situation will be resolved in order to rake in more revenue for the country adding that the authority intends embarking on frequent patrols and increase public Tax Education in order to enhance voluntary compliance by clients.
On his part, Office Manager of the Bolgatanga Small Tax Payers office, Mr.Mark-Donald Pwawari reminded people present of the need to register for a new Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or risk not being able to transact business with a government entity, financial establishment or manufacturing company.
Journalists present at the soiree encouraged the Authority to involve them in their activities and open up to them anytime there is the need so that they can easily get to the and ensure voluntary compliance to taxpaying in the region.
By: Offei-Akoto Ayeh/a1radioonline.com/Ghana
