Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National Chief Imam, has advised the Muslim faithful to uphold the country’s civic responsibility of paying their taxes to ensure sustainable development.
He said the state of the country’s indebtedness was a national concern and urged Muslims to honour their taxes to raise revenue for the country’s developmental projects.
The Chief Imam said this through Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu, the spokesperson for the Chief Imam when the Board of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) paid a courtesy call to the Muslim leader on Thursday.
The visit was to introduce the newly constituted Board members of the Authority to the Chief Imam as part of the activities of its tax education month.
The Chief Imam said in Islam that it was an obligation to engage in charity acts every year to support the less privileged in society.
That, he stressed, was necessary for all Muslims and citizens to adhere to the country’s law to pay their taxes to raise revenue for development projects.
Sheikh Sharubutu said his office was open to partnership with the Authority to engage in outreach programmes to sensitise the public on the importance of tax compliance.
He encouraged all Imams to use their pulpit to educate the Muslim communities on the necessity to pay their taxes to provide infrastructure and other development activities.
He called on the Authority to help ensure accountability from the revenue collected to build the trust and confidence of the public.
The Chief Imam prayed for the leadership of the Authority and the peace of the country ahead of the general elections.
Joe Ghartey, the Board Chairman of GRA, said the country was threatened because “we don’t have money due to economic challenges and low compliance with tax.”
He said the country only received 40 per cent of its revenue from taxation, which was woefully inadequate to undertake any meaningful projects.
Taxes, he stated, were recognised as an important contributor for both developed and developing countries to execute projects.
“Ghanaians must think about what they can do for the country in addition to what they expect from the government from their taxes.
“If we want to reach the promised land, then we have to pay our taxes, he said.
The Board Chairman said the country needed to reduce or avoid borrowing from development partners by paying our taxes.
That, he stressed, would lead to economic and financial independence and as well pursue development projects for the citizens.
Other board members present at the visit include Ms Julie Essiam, Commissioner-General for GRA; Brigadier General Ziblim Ayorrogo, Commissioner of Customs Division of GRA; Ms Pearl Darko, Commissioner in Charge of Support Service Division of GRA; Ms Susan Akomea, and Mrs Araba Bosomtwe.
The team presented an undisclosed amount of money to the Chief Imam and donated assorted items, including bags of rice, cartons of frytol oil, packs of bottled water, and packs of soft drinks.