The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has issued a strong warning to Chinese nationals operating businesses in Ghana to stop printing receipts exclusively in the Chinese language, describing the practice as unacceptable under the country’s business and tax regulations.
The warning was delivered by Joseph Annan, who emphasized that all receipts issued by businesses in Ghana must be printed in a language that can easily be understood by both regulatory authorities and the public.
According to him, the increasing use of Chinese-language receipts by some foreign-owned businesses poses a major challenge to effective tax monitoring, transparency, and accountability within Ghana’s commercial sector.
Mr. Annan explained that the GRA relies heavily on proper documentation and accessible transaction records to monitor tax compliance and ensure businesses pay the appropriate taxes to the state. However, receipts printed entirely in a foreign language make it difficult for authorities to verify transactions and conduct effective audits.
He stressed that Ghana’s official language for administration and business communication is English, and all companies operating within the country are expected to comply with that requirement regardless of their nationality.
“No business operating in Ghana is above the laws of the country. Receipts and invoices must be printed in English to ensure transparency and easy verification by both customers and tax officials,” he indicated.
The GRA believes the practice, if left unchecked, could undermine efforts to improve domestic revenue mobilization and strengthen confidence in the country’s tax system.
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The Authority further warned that businesses that fail to comply with the directive risk facing sanctions, penalties, or other regulatory actions in accordance with Ghana’s tax laws.
The latest directive forms part of broader measures by the GRA to tighten tax administration, improve compliance among both local and foreign businesses, and close loopholes that may affect government revenue collection.
The Authority has therefore urged all foreign nationals and business owners operating in Ghana to fully adhere to the country’s tax and business regulations in order to promote fairness, accountability, and transparency in commercial activities.