Mr Theophilus Kwesi Ehun, Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority Workers Union, has called for social security reforms, defended digital tax systems and urged taxpayers to comply, describing taxes as essential to nation building.
Addressing journalists on Friday on the sidelines of the 2026 National May Day parade in Koforidua, Mr Ehun thanked Ghanaians for contributing to state revenue but said the occasion was also an opportunity to raise concerns about workers’ welfare and tax administration.
Thousands of workers from 32 unions joined the 2026 National May Day parade, held under the theme “Pivoting to Growth, Jobs and Sustainable Livelihoods Beyond Macroeconomic Stability.”
“We want to thank all Ghanaians for their contribution to our tax revenue,” Mr Ehun said. “But on a day like this, we also want to draw the attention of our leaders to some concerns that need to be looked at.”
Chief among them, he said, was the basis for calculating social security contributions, which are pegged to basic salary.
Currently, he emphasised, contributions are based on basic salary rather than gross earnings.
“One key question we are asking is why social security contributions are calculated on basic salary,” he quizzed. “Can we consider paying it on gross salary instead?”
If addressed, Mr Ehun noted, such a review could improve workers’ livelihoods and retirement benefits.
“If we really want to improve the lives of workers, that conversation should begin again,” he said, adding that social security should reflect total earnings rather than basic pay.
He described the issue as a national matter that cuts across institutions and urged a broader review of labour laws to strengthen protections for workers.
On tax administration, Mr Ehun highlighted ongoing digitalisation at the Ghana Revenue Authority, citing systems such as Publican AI, introduced in early 2026 to help curb under‑declaration, misclassification and valuation fraud at customs.
He stressed that technology does not replace human judgment and said taxpayers retained the right to challenge assessments.
“There are human beings behind the system,” Ehun said. “If you have any challenge, you can always go through the objection process.”
Under the law, he said objections are considered and assessments adjusted where justified, reiterating that digital systems were not designed to undermine taxpayer rights.
Ehun also noted improvements in online filing and payment services and announced an extension of the deadline for filing annual tax returns to May 31, from the previous April 30 deadline.
He urged individuals and businesses to comply with their obligations, describing tax payment as a civic responsibility.
“As we intensify enforcement, we want taxpayers to know that paying taxes is their civic duty,” he said, adding, “Taxes help build nations.”
