GRA rejects NIA’s debt claim following disconnection from verification system

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has rejected claims by the National Identification Authority (NIA) that it owes unpaid fees, which allegedly led to the GRA’s disconnection from the NIA’s Identity Verification System (IVS).

 In a statement issued on Thursday by its Communications and Public Affairs Department, the GRA expressed surprise at the allegations and moved to clarify the issue.

According to the GRA, the claimed debt stems from a legacy transaction related to services provided by the NIA prior to 2025. However, following an internal review, the authority stated that the transaction in question lacked the necessary regulatory and governance approvals.

“Our principles of transparency and governance do not permit enforcement of transactions that do not meet regulatory requirements,” the GRA stated.

In its response, the GRA also highlighted an existing collaboration between the two agencies, under which the NIA has operated registration desks at GRA offices across the country without paying rent or utility charges. The GRA implied that this arrangement should be considered in any discussion regarding financial responsibilities.

The authority further noted that it had identified procedural breaches and, at present, could not confirm the existence of a formal service agreement with the NIA that would substantiate the alleged debt. High-level discussions are currently ongoing in an effort to resolve the matter.

Despite the dispute, the GRA reaffirmed its commitment to inter-agency cooperation, particularly in relation to integrating the Ghana Card into the national tax infrastructure. The authority emphasized its adherence to principles of fairness, integrity, and service, and expressed readiness to work with the NIA toward a resolution.