The awards night was also used to reward hardworking staff for their exceptional contributions to the success of the GRA in 2017. The GRA, through the award scheme, complimented taxpayers and business owners who fulfilled their tax obligation under the year in review.

Speaking at 2017 GRA Awards Night, the Commissioner-General of the GRA Mr. Emmanuel Kofi Nti, urged taxpayers to pay their taxes to ensure the achievement of economic development goals and national transformation.

He appealed to all taxpayers and income earners not yet registered with the GRA to do so, to take advantage of the Tax Amnesty period by coming forward to regularize and fulfil their tax obligations before the end of August 2018.

“I wish to reiterate that as tax administrators, we principally see voluntary taxpayers as our partners in national development. I am therefore calling on taxpayers to partner the GRA, so that together we can contribute to building this dear nation. Our doors are always open for your suggestions and contributions to enable us to serve you better,” he said.

He warned individuals and businesses, who evade taxes to desist from such attitudes as it impacted negatively on the economy. “We are counting on your support and plead with the few who try to avoid the payment of duty to put a stop to it as it harms the economy,” he said and warned that the GRA was going to be hard on such individuals and businesses.

“This notion of business as usual will no longer be tolerated,” he added.

“We are ready to reward where necessary and at the same time impose sanctions on taxpayers who deliberately plot to understate or evade their obligations,” Mr Nti said. He urged staff to bring their collective strength to bear to the achievement of organizational targets.

“To our staff awardees, I wish to urge you to work harder than before,” he said.

“I believe honouring you our staff and our taxpayers would also serves as motivation to other employees to also strive harder than before and also be accorded the necessary recognition.” He also congratulated the management of the GRA for their leadership and support and commended staff for their exceptional efforts at revenue mobilization and helping the organization to meet its target.

Newmont Ghana Gold Limited emerged the Overall Best Taxpayer 2017 in the Large Taxpayer Category while in the Medium Enterprise category, the overall Best Taxpayer went to Scanship Ghana Limited.

The Overall Best Staff 2017 went to Junior Appiah-Warden, whilst Emmanuel Spio-Abaidoo emerged the Special award winner for exceptional performance Best Development Partner went to GIZ/GFG, with the Commissioner-General's special award going to Scancom Limited (MTN).