The Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has made a direct appeal to religious leaders, urging them to champion the cause of tax compliance with the same vigour they use to encourage tithing.
Speaking at the launch of the Sustained National Tax Education Programme, Mr. Ampem emphasized that paying taxes is both a “moral and patriotic duty” essential for Ghana’s development. He called on influential pastors to use their pulpits to shape a responsible tax culture among their congregations.
“The energy you use to encourage them to pay tithes must also be used to encourage them to pay taxes,” Ampem stated, directly addressing Pastor Nigel Gaisie and other clergy present. He reinforced his point with a biblical reference, saying, “Our Bible says, give unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s.”
The Deputy Minister outlined the government’s new tax education campaign, which aims to reframe taxes not as a punishment, but as a vital contribution to public goods like roads, schools, and hospitals.
He announced that the upcoming 2026 Budget will simplify the Value Added Tax (VAT) system to ease pressure on businesses and households.
To boost transparency and willingness to pay, Ampem called for all tax-funded projects to be clearly labelled, allowing citizens to see the direct results of their contributions. He also announced a forthcoming system to reward compliant taxpayers and name-and-shame defaulters.
The minister concluded by appealing for a nationwide effort, asking all public officials to include tax education in their speeches, aiming to build a culture of shared responsibility and trust between citizens and the state.
