GRA Refutes NIA’s Claims Over Disconnection, Cites Lack of Agreement and Legacy Debt
By: Nana Kwasi Roka
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has firmly responded to recent media reports and public statements by the National Identification Authority (NIA), which alleged that GRA was disconnected from the Identity Verification System (IVS) due to unpaid fees.
In a press release dated August 5, 2025, the GRA expressed shock at the NIA’s allegations, clarifying that any supposed debt was a “legacy” issue inherited from services rendered prior to 2025. The Authority noted that, based on its current assessment, there were no regulatory or governance approvals backing the transaction that allegedly led to the debt.
According to the GRA, the agency’s core principles of transparency and compliance, aligned with the President’s governance reset vision, do not permit enforcement of financial obligations that lack proper regulatory basis.
GRA also revealed that the NIA has operated registration desks on GRA premises across the country for several years without paying rent or utility fees – an arrangement that significantly benefited the NIA.
“There are ongoing high-level discussions between the two agencies to resolve the issue,” the statement said, pointing out procedural breaches and the lack of a clear service agreement between the two institutions.
While acknowledging the importance of collaboration in achieving national goals – especially the integration of the Ghana Card into tax systems – the GRA called for a renewed spirit of cooperation with the NIA.
The Authority reassured the public of its continued commitment to integrity, fairness and effective service delivery despite the current misunderstanding.
