The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has apologised to Say Cheers after a review of the company’s transactions established that it had been meeting its tax obligations, correcting earlier concerns about its compliance status.
The authority attributed the controversy to a miscommunication between its officials and the company, admitting that its earlier communication had created a misleading impression about Say Cheers’ tax records.
Deputy Commissioner of Operations at the GRA, Kwesi Eghan, said the authority decided to clarify the matter publicly after its electronic tax monitoring system and a review of the company’s transactions confirmed its compliance.
Speaking to journalists in Accra during an operation targeting businesses suspected of failing to meet their tax obligations, Mr Eghan said the authority had a duty to correct the record and prevent further damage to the company’s reputation.
“We’ve checked the system. We are very comfortable from our end. Indeed, we have checked the transactions that have been done, and it’s obvious that Say Cheers is complying, indeed has been complying,” he said.
He acknowledged that where communication from the authority had created an inaccurate impression, it was important to admit the error and provide the public with the correct information.
“If there has been any miscommunication, we are mature enough to give you apologies and let the general public also understand that Say Cheers is compliant,” he added.
The clarification reverses the earlier concerns raised by the GRA over the company’s tax compliance, with the authority now affirming that its checks found Say Cheers had been meeting its obligations.
Mr Eghan stressed the need for fairness in the authority’s public communications, particularly where allegations or concerns could affect the reputation of businesses.
He said the GRA considered it necessary to give the correction public attention comparable to that which followed the initial concerns, ensuring that the company’s compliance status was accurately understood.
