GRA Resolves Ghana.gov Payment Challenges as FDA Records Significant Financial Surplus

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is currently working to resolve a series of technical challenges that have disrupted tax payment processing on the Ghana.gov platform since August 14, 2026. The intermittent issues have specifically impacted transactions through the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), and the Ghana Integrated Tax Management and Information System (GITMIS). While the GRA has assured the public that the filing of tax returns remains unaffected, the delays in payment processing have created significant hurdles for taxpayers, importers, and clearing agents. The Authority is collaborating with technical partners to ensure all outstanding transactions are reflected correctly as the system normalizes.

This technical disruption comes at a time when the GRA is intensifying its transition toward a more data-driven and digital tax administration. Speaking at the 2026 Statistics and Data Analysts’ Seminar in Ho, Technical Advisor Elsie Appau-Klu emphasized the necessity of modern statistical tools to navigate the digital economy and address persistent revenue mobilization challenges. Specifically, the Authority is focusing on improving low VAT collection and corporate tax revenue through enhanced risk management and more accurate revenue forecasting. The GRA’s commitment to a cashless payment policy and the consolidation of tax functions through ITAS remains a priority despite the current technical setbacks.

While the GRA manages these infrastructure hurdles, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has reported a robust financial performance for the 2025 fiscal year. During a stakeholders’ meeting in Accra, Deputy Director of Finance Samuel Adom-Siaw announced that the FDA recorded a surplus of GH¢70 million, marking a 51% increase over the previous year’s GH¢46 million. The agency generated GH¢420 million in total revenue, with internally generated funds accounting for 66% of that figure. This financial growth was mirrored by an increase in total assets, which rose to GH¢358 million, while total liabilities saw a sharp decline to GH¢3.4 million.

Despite the FDA’s financial success, the agency highlighted critical operational challenges that mirror the infrastructure concerns at the GRA. The FDA is currently grappling with ageing laboratory equipment, with some units being between eight and 20 years old, which could impact future regulatory efficiency. On the regulatory front, however, the agency saw a significant surge in local production, with locally manufactured regulated products increasing from 33% in 2024 to 62% in 2025. This indicates a growing domestic market even as the agency works to overcome exchange-rate fluctuations that led to a GH¢95 million revenue shortfall against its original projections.

Collectively, these developments underscore a broader trend within Ghana’s state agencies toward self-sufficiency and digital modernization. While the GRA works to restore the stability of its digital payment channels to protect the national revenue stream, the FDA is focusing on retooling its infrastructure to sustain its regulatory successes. Both agencies have called for patience from stakeholders as they implement these critical technical and financial adjustments to improve service delivery and compliance in a rapidly evolving business environment.