GH¢376m NIA Debt Claim Invalid Without Regulatory Approval – GRA Responds to Disconnection Dispute

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has dismissed claims by the National Identification Authority (NIA) that it owes over GH¢376 million in arrears, calling the alleged debt unfounded and procedurally invalid.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the GRA expressed “great surprise” at the NIA’s assertion, which the Identification Authority claimed was the basis for disconnecting the GRA from its Identity Verification Service (IVS) platform.

The GRA maintains that the debt is a legacy issue, allegedly accrued before 2025, but insists that such transactions lack the formal regulatory and governance approvals required to be enforceable.

“GRA’s principles of transparency, compliance, and governance protocols do not permit enforcement of transactions that do not meet regulatory requirements,” the statement read.

Furthermore, the GRA questioned the legitimacy of the financial claims, pointing out procedural breaches and the absence of a formal service agreement between the two institutions. According to the Authority, internal reviews have failed to validate the existence of any approved framework governing the transactions in question.

The statement also referenced GRA’s ongoing support for the NIA, noting that the Authority has allowed the NIA to operate registration desks across GRA offices rent-free, with no charges for utilities over the years.

While challenging the debt claims, the GRA emphasized its commitment to resolving the matter amicably and upholding strong inter-agency collaboration, particularly in relation to the integration of the Ghana Card into national tax administration efforts.

“We recognise the importance of collaboration in advancing national development goals,” the Authority added.

The matter is expected to be addressed through high-level discussions in the coming days, as stakeholders work to clarify obligations and preserve the integrity of public service delivery systems.