Ghana's tax-to-GDP ratio reached 14% in 2025, an increase from 12.3% in 2024. This rise indicates progress in the government's efforts to boost its revenue. Stronger tax collection helps the country rely less on borrowing.
This improvement comes from new ways of managing taxes and handling public money. Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem shared these details. He spoke during a high-level visit by a Ghanaian team to South Korea. This visit was part of the Ghana Tax Modernisation Project.
This fits into Ghana's larger plan to stabilize its economy. The government aims to maintain stability after finishing its economic recovery program with the International Monetary Fund. Increasing tax revenue is a key way to achieve this goal. It also supports lasting economic growth.
Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem stated, “Ghana’s tax-to-GDP ratio, although improving from approximately 12.3 percent to about 14 percent in 2025, remains below the average for countries at similar levels of development.” This shows that Ghana still needs to improve its tax collection. The country seeks to reduce tax evasion and make more people pay taxes. It also aims to make the tax system work better and more fairly.
The Ghana Tax Modernisation Project is working to fix these issues. The Korea International Cooperation Agency and the Korea Institute of Public Finance support this project. It will update Ghana's tax system using new technology. It will also improve how government departments work and train more staff.
This project will create a Tax Modernisation Master Plan. This plan will guide future changes and make tax collection clearer and more effective. Mr. Ampem leads the committee for this project. He stressed the importance of technology and public involvement in making the tax system better. This builds trust and helps Ghana achieve its overall development goals.
The government hopes to learn from South Korea's experiences. This knowledge can help Ghana build a stronger tax system. A resilient tax system can then fund Ghana's long-term development needs. This project aims to improve revenue collection and increase public confidence in the tax system. Better tax collection supports steady economic progress and reduces Ghana's national debt.