To enhance revenue mobilisation, Finance Minister Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam has announced the reintroduction of road tolls and the integrated property tax system next year. The Minister made this announcement while presenting the 2024 Mid-year Fiscal Policy Review to Parliament yesterday.
Govt to Re-institute Integrated Property Tax System
The integrated property tax system aims to synthesise data from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MMDAs), Lands Valuation, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and other relevant government agencies to create a comprehensive digital property record database.
This will transform property data management and ensure a more efficient and accurate property tax system.
Dr. Adam stated that to enhance revenue mobilisation by IGF-reliant Covered Entities, discussions would be held around providing incentives to institutions that exceeded their revenue targets for the year.
The Ministry will continue deploying the Ghana. Gov Payment Platform to remaining public institutions and ensure that all those already on-board go live.
Additionally, the outstanding activities for the full rollout and utilisation of the GIFMIS for processing IGF expenditures will be completed by the end of the year.
The government will develop a framework for the re-introduction of road and bridge tolls to facilitate the implementation of a modernised and efficient tolling system commencing in 2025.
For the rest of the year, the Ministry of Finance will deepen engagements with both GRA and relevant stakeholders to effectively implement policy, administrative, and regulatory measures to ensure revenue targets are met.
To broaden the tax base, a simplified digital solution for the operationalisation of the modified taxation scheme will be deployed, along with an electronic bookkeeping system. Additionally, 2,000 more taxpayers will be added to the electronic invoicing system (e-VAT) by the close of the year. GRA will continue cleaning the taxpayer register and onboarding more taxpayers onto its electronic systems to improve the taxpayer experience and compliance.
“In addition, GRA will continue to enhance data sharing with other tax jurisdictions to boost revenue mobilisation,” Dr. Amin added.
Road tolls
Dr. Amin stated that road tolls would generate revenue for the maintenance of road networks in the country.
The road toll was cancelled about three years ago to ease traffic congestion on major roads, paving the way for the introduction of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy).
The E-levy required the payment of a one per cent levy, reduced from the initial 1.5% levy, on all electronic and Mobile Money (MoMo) transactions exceeding a cumulative GHS100 per day.
Presenting the 2024 mid-year budget review to Parliament on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, Dr. Adam said the reintroduction is to “facilitate the processes for the implementation of a modernised and efficient road and bridge tolling system.”
He stated that Cabinet had approved the establishment of a framework for the reintroduction of road and bridge tolls. Prior to its cancellation, Ghana generated about GH₵39 million monthly and some GH₵72.5 million annually from tolls, which was used for financing periodic maintenance and rehabilitation of public roads.
Dr. Adam said the government was determined to improve road infrastructure in the country and had constructed new roads and upgraded old ones over the years.
He mentioned the Dadiesoba-Esiankyim-Manhyia, Antwi Agyeikrom-Debra Camp, Sunyani and Berekum Inner City roads, Atebubu town roads, Assin Fosu-Dunkwa-Cocoa Station, and Kwahu Tafo-Miaso roads as some of the completed projects.
The rehabilitation and maintenance projects include Juaboso-Boinzan ongoing roads, Winneba-Kasoa, Karaga town road, Gushegu Town and Tolon Daboya Road, Nanton-Karaga-Gushegu highway, Sefwi Wiawso town roads, and Accra-Kumasi road.
He said the following projects were at various stages of completion: rehabilitation of the Tamale-Tatale road, phase two of the Tema Motorway Roundabout, construction of the flyover over the Accra-Tema motorway from the Flowerpot Roundabout on the Spintex Road to East Legon.
Other ongoing projects include the construction of phase two works under the Suame Interchange, dualisation of Nsawam-Ofankor Road, works on the Agona Nkwanta-Tarkwa road, works on the Dome-Kitase road, and phase two of Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange and ancillary works.
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