The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Julie Essiam, has emphasized the importance of professionalism amongst customs officers in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Speaking at the GRA’s special May Day celebration in Accra, she urged customs officers to use their expertise to ensure peaceful elections and to avoid engaging in activities that could incite violence.
The theme of this year’s May Day celebration was “Election 2024: The Role of Workers and Social Partners in Securing Peaceful Elections for National Development.” Ms. Essiam commended GRA workers for their dedication and selfless service to the nation, acknowledging their significant contribution to the country’s revenue.
During the celebration, Ms. Essiam announced the Authority’s upcoming “90-day plan” to mobilize revenue and meet revenue targets. She highlighted that GRA contributes about 70% of the nation’s revenue to support government developmental projects, emphasizing the importance of tax payment as a collaborative effort to build a culture of paying taxes for national development.
The National Chairman of the GRA Workers Union, Theophilus Ehun, proposed a national dialogue to sensitize the citizenry on the benefits of paying taxes. He called on unions to support the management of the Authority in collecting revenue for development projects. Additionally, three new top managers were introduced to the staff, with a commitment to work diligently with staff and citizens to achieve the Authority’s targets.
The May Day celebration marks a holiday to acknowledge the contributions of workers to national development. It is celebrated with a parade by trade unions and labor associations at Independence Square in Accra. The new focus on professionalism amongst customs officers and the emphasis on tax payment as a collaborative effort for national development are key highlights of the GRA’s May Day celebration.
