He said the payment of taxes was a national duty outlined in the 1992 Constitution, and that defaulters were against Government’s quest to build a strong economy for the nation. Mr Mamadu was addressing a tax sensitization campaign at Kete Krachi in the Krachi West District of the Volta Region and said taxes were the life blood of every Government, and urged citizens to help disseminate the message of voluntary tax compliance.

“It is said in Article 41 (j) that it shall be the duty of every citizen to honestly declare his/her income to the appropriate and lawful agencies and to satisfy all obligations,” he stated. The National Tax Campaign is aimed at widening the tax net by advocating voluntary tax contributions and sensitizing a broader range of eligible tax contributors.

Mr Kenneth Kponor, Regional Director, NCCE told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the Commission under the second phase of the campaign was targeting traditional leaders to help disseminate the message of voluntary tax compliance. He said artisans and other small business operators were being captured under the campaign, and that community information centres, and durbars would be utilized to that effect.

 Mr Kponor said the Tax Identification Number (TIN) remained an integral part of the campaign, and appealed to all to acquire the unique number for easy access to services. Mr Abdul Rahman of the Dambai branch of the Ghana Private Road Transport Union said commercial motorbike operators must be included in the tax net towards generating more revenue for development.