GRA Recovers $154k Foreign Legacy Debt; Boosts Revenue Collection

• The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) fully recovered $154,976 in legacy debts owed by foreign entities between 2022 and 2024.
• GRA Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong disclosed this achievement to Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on October 14, 2026.
• The GRA also successfully recouped GH¢1.3 billion out of approximately GH¢1.4 billion in outstanding Value Added Tax (VAT) from the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).
• ECG's VAT arrears accumulated because its collection systems reportedly did not allow full recovery from customers.
• These recoveries highlight the GRA's intensified efforts in collecting outstanding tax obligations from both foreign and domestic entities.

The full recovery of the $154,976 foreign legacy debt from foreign entities between 2022 and 2024 serves as a strong indicator of the Ghana Revenue Authority's enhanced capacity and determination to pursue outstanding tax liabilities.

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has successfully recovered a significant sum of $154,976.08 in legacy debts from foreign entities. This dollar-denominated outstanding amount, which was owed by various taxpayers, was fully recouped by the GRA between 2022 and 2024, marking a notable achievement in the authority's efforts to collect outstanding revenue.

Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, publicly announced this recovery during his appearance before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. He confirmed that the recovered sum represented the entirety of the outstanding dollar-denominated debts detailed in a report under the Committee's review, expressing satisfaction with the full recovery of these foreign entity tax debt Ghana.

Beyond the foreign legacy debt, the GRA has also made substantial progress in recovering Value Added Tax (VAT) owed by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG). Out of an approximate GH¢1.4 billion in outstanding VAT, the Ghana Revenue Authority debt recovery efforts have yielded GH¢1.3 billion. This amount represents about 86.56 percent of the total outstanding sum, demonstrating significant headway in addressing domestic tax arrears.

Mr. Sarpong explained to the committee that the outstanding VAT from ECG had accumulated over time due to the power distributor's assertion that its collection systems were inadequate to fully recover the VAT charged to customers. Despite these challenges, the GRA has engaged extensively with ECG to resolve the issue and continues to work towards improving the overall situation and recovering the remaining balance.

The successful recovery of the $154,976.08 foreign legacy debt, alongside the substantial recoupment from the Electricity Company of Ghana, underscores a clear and intensified focus by the GRA on tax compliance and enforcement. These actions signal a robust approach to ensuring that all entities, both foreign and domestic, fulfill their tax obligations to the state. The Commissioner-General's direct reporting to the Public Accounts Committee highlights the transparency and accountability driving these recovery initiatives.

The specific mention of dollar-denominated debts owed by foreign entities indicates that the GRA is actively pursuing various forms of outstanding revenue, irrespective of the currency or the domicile of the taxpayer. This targeted approach to foreign entity tax debt Ghana suggests a comprehensive strategy to broaden the tax base and ensure equitable contribution from all economic actors. The period of recovery, spanning 2022 to 2024, further illustrates a sustained and consistent effort rather than an isolated campaign.

The challenges faced by the Electricity Company of Ghana in remitting collected VAT, attributed to systemic issues, also shed light on the GRA's willingness to engage with taxpayers to find solutions while still ensuring collection. The fact that the GRA has recovered GH¢1.3 billion out of GH¢1.4 billion in outstanding VAT from ECG demonstrates a pragmatic yet firm stance on revenue collection, even when operational complexities are involved.

The recent announcements by Commissioner-General Anthony Kwasi Sarpong regarding the GRA's successful debt recovery efforts carry significant implications for businesses operating within Ghana, particularly foreign entities. The full recovery of the $154,976 foreign legacy debt from foreign entities between 2022 and 2024 serves as a strong indicator of the Ghana Revenue Authority's enhanced capacity and determination to pursue outstanding tax liabilities.

Companies, especially those with international operations or dollar-denominated transactions, should take note of this heightened enforcement environment. The GRA's demonstrated success in recovering these specific debts suggests that a thorough review of tax compliance and any outstanding legacy debts is prudent. This proactive stance by the GRA increases the risk of collection actions for non-compliant entities, making it imperative for businesses to ensure their tax affairs are in order.

This period of intensified Ghana Revenue Authority debt recovery underscores the government's commitment to maximizing revenue generation. The successful collection of both the foreign legacy debt and a substantial portion of the Electricity Company of Ghana's outstanding VAT signals a broader trend of stricter oversight and more aggressive pursuit of all forms of tax arrears. Businesses are therefore advised to prioritize tax compliance to avoid potential penalties and enforcement measures.

Companies operating in Ghana, particularly foreign entities, should review their tax compliance and outstanding legacy debts, as the GRA is demonstrating increased enforcement and successful recovery efforts, indicating a heightened risk of collection actions.

Source: Original reporting via Emma Ankrah