Jakarta:The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has demonstrated significant advancements in revenue collection through artificial intelligence and digital tax systems, reporting an additional GHS1 billion in customs revenue collected in April 2026 via its Publican AI system.
According to Ghana Web, the GRA's achievements were a focal point at the 7th Belt and Road Initiative Tax Administration Cooperation Forum (BRITACOF), held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from October 13 to 15, 2026. The event gathered tax administrators to discuss digital transformation and strategies for enhancing compliance in diverse economic settings.
Elsie Appau-Klu Esq, Technical Adviser to the Commissioner-General of the GRA and leader of the Ghanaian delegation, delivered a keynote address on the theme 'From Tax Informalization to Smart Taxation The Ghanaian Experience and Shared Paths for Belt and Road Jurisdictions.' Her presentation emphasized Ghana's integration of advanced technology with accessible tax systems, particularly for businesses in the informal economy.
Appau-Klu noted the evolution of Ghana's tax institutions, which consolidated from four separate agencies in 2009, with the adoption of the Ghana Card as the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) in 2021, laying the groundwork for comprehensive digital reforms. She highlighted the importance of adapting technology to taxpayers, citing the Publican AI system's role in improving revenue mobilization by analyzing import values and electronic data to identify discrepancies before goods clearance.
The GRA's revenue increased from GHS153 billion in 2024 to GHS182 billion in 2025, with customs playing a key role. The authority aims to achieve GHS310 billion in revenue by 2028. Appau-Klu stressed that AI should complement human judgment, allowing officers to evaluate system alerts and providing taxpayers with the right to appeal.
She encouraged other administrations to establish unified taxpayer identities and integrated data systems before investing in AI, advocating for knowledge-sharing and capacity development. Her suggestions included modular training for tax officers to become data analysts and adopting successful models like Indonesia's electronic VAT and stamp-duty systems and China's Golden Tax System.
She explained that the GRA had adopted different approaches for different categories of taxpayers. While formal businesses use the Electronic Value Added Tax (E-VAT) system and application programming interfaces, informal operators can access the Modified Taxation Scheme through the *880# USSD platform and mobile money.
The Ghanaian delegation also featured Moses Koloni Yidana, Head of the GRA's Transfer Pricing Unit, and Abdul Rauf Nasiru, Head of the Telecommunications and Services, Large Taxpayer Office in the Audit Division.