Ghana Revenue Authority arrests China Mall officials for tax evasion

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has apprehended senior officials from three China Mall branches located in Weija, Ashaiman, and Nsawam. The arrests, carried out during a coordinated compliance enforcement operation, follow allegations of tax evasion and the use of unauthorized invoicing platforms. This action is part of a wider crackdown by the authority to ensure that all large-scale retailers strictly adhere to the nation’s tax regulations and electronic systems.

Investigations by the GRA’s Revenue Protection Unit revealed that the retailer was allegedly bypassing the mandatory Electronic VAT (E-VAT) system. Intelligence gathered through mystery shopping exercises confirmed that several sales transactions were not being properly captured on the official platform. Instead, the outlets were reportedly using private invoicing software that did not conform to GRA standards, effectively diverting revenue that should have been recorded for tax purposes.

Wisdom Kofi Xetor, the Head of the GRA’s Revenue Protection Unit, stated that the ongoing investigations are aimed at determining the full extent of the tax losses. He emphasized that the authority would not hesitate to prosecute individuals found to be in deliberate breach of the law. Under current regulations, officials convicted of such tax-related offenses could face prison sentences of up to five years.

This enforcement action signals an intensification of the GRA’s efforts to digitalize tax collection and eliminate leakages in the retail sector. By targeting high-traffic shopping centers, the authority aims to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining a level playing field for all businesses. The GRA has indicated that similar operations will continue across the country to ensure total compliance with the E-VAT system and other revenue-protection measures.