BudgIT Ghana Unveils Final Report on Informal Sector Tax Compliance, Urges Education and Motivation to Boost Revenue

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In a bid to enhance tax compliance within Ghana’s informal sector, civic tech organization BudgIT Ghana, in partnership with the Society for Women in Taxation (SWIT), has officially launched the final report of its research project titled "Ghana’s Untapped Economy: Analysis of Tax Compliance Behaviour of Informal Sector Workers in the Greater Accra Region."


The event, which brought together leaders, policymakers, civil society actors, and informal sector representatives, aimed to reflect on the findings of the report and discuss practical steps toward building an inclusive, transparent, and equitable tax framework for Ghana’s informal economy.


During the launch, Miss Jennifer Moffatt, Country Manager for BudgIT Ghana, highlighted the pressing challenges facing informal sector workers when it comes to taxation. She stressed that these challenges negatively impact national development and called for sustained tax education efforts. She further recommended strategies to educate, encourage, and motivate informal sector taxpayers to help boost compliance and improve revenue generation.

Speaking at the same event, Dr. Alex Moyem Kombat, Assistant Commissioner of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), commended the research initiative. He assured participants that GRA acknowledges the findings and plans to implement some of the recommendations in the 2026 National Budget. Dr. Kombat acknowledged existing difficulties in taxing the informal sector but mentioned several ongoing administrative reforms aimed at improving compliance and addressing the gaps.


Also addressing the gathering, Madam Esi Sam, Chairperson of SWIT Ghana, emphasized the vital role taxation plays in national development. She urged women in the informal sector to actively participate in tax compliance, noting that even though many women earn lower incomes and face hurdles in running small businesses, they still have a civic duty to contribute. “Taxes fund schools, roads, electricity, and healthcare. Everyone’s contribution matters,” she stressed.


The report launch marks a significant step toward fostering a tax culture in Ghana’s informal economy—one built on trust, education, and equity.


Credit: Janet Kwakye 



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