The Minority in Parliament will invoke Ghana’s Right to Information (RTI) Act to obtain full details of three tax administration agreements. These agreements were recently approved by Parliament, despite the Minority's concerns about inadequate scrutiny.
The three agreements, endorsed by Parliament on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, represent multi-year expenditure commitments. They aim to improve tax collection and revenue mobilization across Ghana. The Minority believes they were not given enough information to properly assess the financial and operational implications of these contracts.
These agreements establish the legal framework for the government to engage service providers. They will implement three major initiatives: the Fiscal Electronic Device (FED) Policy, the Ghana Domestic Revenue Collection Platform, and a Cross-Border E-Commerce VAT Monitoring and Collection System. The government states these projects will modernize tax administration, enhance compliance, and strengthen oversight of commercial transactions.
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Ranking Member of Parliament’s Economy and Development Committee and MP for Ofoase-Ayirebi, confirmed the Minority's plan. He stated that formal RTI requests would be submitted to access all relevant documents. This action highlights ongoing tensions between the government and opposition regarding transparency in public finance.
The Minority opposed the approval of the agreements during parliamentary proceedings. Members argued they lacked sufficient information about the contracts before being asked to approve them. This made it impossible to conduct a thorough assessment of their financial and operational implications for the nation.
Mr. Oppong Nkrumah explained that the RTI requests would allow the Minority to obtain complete documentation. Access to these contracts will enable the caucus to examine their terms and understand implementation arrangements. They can then evaluate any potential financial burden on the state.
Parliament has a responsibility to properly scrutinize expenditure commitments before approval, especially those involving long-term public funds. The Minority believes greater transparency is essential to ensure accountability. This will also reassure the public that the agreements represent good value for money.
Once the requested documents are received, the caucus plans to conduct its own assessment. This independent review will determine whether the contracts truly serve the country’s best interests. This move could lead to further debate and potential challenges to the agreements' implementation.
The push for transparency comes at a time when Ghana is focused on improving its revenue collection. The government aims to reduce its reliance on external borrowing. Effective and transparent tax administration is crucial for achieving fiscal stability and economic growth in the long term.
This development underscores the importance of the Right to Information Act in Ghana's governance. It provides a mechanism for citizens and elected officials to demand accountability from public institutions. The outcome of these RTI requests will be closely watched by civil society organizations and the public.