Benaiah Nii Addo addressing the participants
The Executive Director of Green Tax Youth Africa, Benaiah Nii Addo, has called on the government to close tax loopholes, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and prioritize equity in the national tax system.
During a two-day training for journalists on Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) and fair taxes, Mr. Addo highlighted serious problems in the country’s tax system, especially in areas like real estate, big retail companies, and the informal economy.
“We are simply not enforcing the policies we already have,” he said, adding, “Take real estate, for example – people can walk in with cash and purchase properties without any paper trail. These transactions bypass the banking system entirely, creating a haven for illicit financial flows.”
Mr. Addo emphasised the need for urgent government intervention in this area, urging policymakers to take a “keen interest” in regulating real estate transactions to improve transparency and accountability.
Beyond real estate, he highlighted tax evasion by some multinational companies operating in Ghana.
“These companies often repatriate all their profits without reinvesting in the country. Their only interest is making money,” he noted.
“This must change. The government must ensure that such businesses are contributing their fair share,” he said,
He also raised concerns about tax avoidance, especially among companies that benefit from tax incentives under the guise of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). “CSR is voluntary and largely unregulated in Ghana.
“While companies claim to support local communities, there is no policy to monitor or evaluate these projects,” he said.
“We must ensure that these CSR projects align with the tax exemptions they enjoy,” he added.
Mr. Addo called for a more robust paperless financial system, praising the current interoperability of digital platforms, especially in the public sector, where electronic salary payments have become the norm.
By David Afum, Kumasi