The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is preparing to launch a nationwide tax education campaign targeting the informal sector by the end of 2025.

The initiative aims to simplify complex tax concepts into clear, practical language to improve compliance and broaden Ghana’s tax base.

Speaking at the third edition of the Society for Women in Taxation (SWIT) Conference in Accra, Technical Advisor to the Commissioner-General, Elsie Apau, explained that the campaign will break down tax information into simple, relatable terms for traders, artisans, and other informal sector workers.

“The Commissioner will soon launch what we’ve flagged as tax education. This is to break down tax information so that the uninformed, semi-literate, or semi-educated person can understand it in very clear and basic language. We are not going to use verbose expressions or grammatical jargon,” she said.

She stressed the need to connect tax payment to everyday benefits, asking:

“How can the woman in Abossey Okai, Makola Market, or the one selling at a tabletop in my village understand that when they pay tax, their children will have better classrooms, their roads will improve, and their clinics will be better equipped?”

Chairperson of SWIT, Esi Sam, also highlighted the role of sensitisation in encouraging more women to honour their tax obligations.

“Collecting taxes is not just about collection but also the human face you attach to it. When you engage people respectfully, they are more motivated to comply,” she said.

Adding a technological perspective, Patricia Obo-Nai, CEO of Telecel Ghana, called for the adoption of machine learning and digital tools to strengthen informal sector tax collection. She cited examples from countries like Chile, India, Kenya, and the United States, where technology has improved compliance.

“Technology adoption in Ghana’s informal sector is not only about innovation but also inclusion. Tools must not assume fluency in English, access to smartphones, or comfort with digital platforms. Simple USSD solutions, for example, can make tax information accessible to anyone with a basic phone,” she noted.

This year’s conference was held under the theme: “Leveraging Technology to Unlock the Revenue Potential of the Informal Sector for National Development.”