An advocacy group, Movement for Truth and Accountability is said to be battling with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) over allegations of revenue leakages and procedural breaches.
This disagreement, according to reports, ensued after the group indicated that an official Right to Information (RTI) request seeking clarification on key issues reportedly went unanswered.
Information gathered revealed that the RTI request was filed on May 7, 2026 and addressed to the Commissioner-General of GRA.
According to the group, the request sought information relating to the “self-recognizance” status granted to some six Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
The names of the companies have been withheld pending further disclosure.
Specifically, the Movement for Truth and Accountability requested details on: The basis upon which the six OMCs were granted self-recognizance status; whether the applicant guidelines and procedures governing such status were complied with; the tax liabilities of the six OMCs throughout the 2025 fiscal year; the factors that led to the rapid accrual of debt within that period; and the specific actions taken by GRA to recover the outstanding amounts.
However, the GRA, the Group noted, did not respond to the request within the statutory period, compelling the group to seek the intervention of the Right to Information Commission by applying for a “Review”.
In response, the Right to Information Commission wrote to GRA, directing the Authority to “Provide reasons for the alleged refusal or failure to respond to the Applicant’s request” and “Furnish the Commission with the Information requested, to enable the Commission undertake a review and decide on the matter.”
Petroleum downstream sector
Separate reports relate to the downstream petroleum sector with the allegation that GRA granted “self-recognizance” status to a number of OMCs, enabling them to lift petroleum products without adhering to mandatory cash-and-carry financial guarantees.
According to the allegations, some of these OMCs have allegedly defaulted, leaving significant debts unpaid.
Industry guidelines, according to the claims by the Movement for Truth and Accountability, self-recognizance status should only be granted to OMCs with long-term credibility and a strong record of meeting tax obligations.
The Enterprise Relational Database Management System (ERDMS) is the petroleum trading platform used by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to regulate petroleum lifting and revenue assurance.
Another issue
At the center of separate claim, the group is seeking investigation, is an issue involving a large volume of imported goods manifested as “in-transit” cargo.
Standard customs procedure requires such goods to undergo inspection and transfer to designated off-dock terminals.
However, there were allegations that procedural delays within GRA frustrated these transfers, leading to the containers being classified as overstayed goods, which were auctioned, reportedly, at drastically reduced prices, rather than enforcing full tax liabilities.
The process is alleged to have resulted in the evasion of millions of Ghana Cedis in state taxes.
Anti-corruption advocates argue that the failure to respond to the RTI request raises further questions about transparency.
Civil society groups are calling for a comprehensive, independent investigation into both customs and petroleum operations, and an immediate review of current procedures at the GRA.
GRA, according to information gathered, is yet to officially respond to the allegations and the RTI Commission’s directive.
