The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has sealed four Chinese-owned companies in the Mallam area of Accra for failing to maintain and produce mandatory sales records, as part of an intensified national drive to enforce tax compliance.
Speaking during the enforcement operation, Mr. Joseph Adjeikwei Annan, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Accra Area Enforcement at GRA, revealed that the team visited five companies within a large industrial estate, most of which are foreign-owned manufacturing and trading firms.
He confirmed that WZL Doors Manufacturing Company, Alicanonizing Company Limited, Hai Ning Chen Yu Limited, and Yida Feng Company Limited were closed after failing to present their sales records when requested. Some of the businesses were also found to be selectively issuing VAT invoices.
One company, Mingzhou Ghana Limited, initially failed to produce its records but avoided closure after submitting the necessary documents during the enforcement process.
Mr. Annan stressed that maintaining proper records is a legal requirement under Ghana’s tax laws, and failure to comply constitutes a serious offence. He added that the companies sealed during the operation will remain closed until all required documentation is submitted to GRA.
The enforcement exercise follows several weeks of public education campaigns through radio, print, and other media, aimed at warning businesses of the consequences of non-compliance.
“The enforcement operations will continue across Accra and other regions until compliance improves. We urge all businesses to regularise their tax affairs,” Mr. Annan said. He also warned that tampering with GRA seals could result in stiffer penalties, including arrests and prosecution where necessary.
The Assistant Commissioner appealed to the public not to shield tax offenders, emphasizing that tax compliance is a shared civic responsibility and a crucial element for Ghana’s development.
