The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has summoned the management of Jamila Home, an Accra-based antique showroom, to assist in investigations into an alleged assault on a revenue officer during a tax compliance operation. The incident occurred on October 7, 2026, when showroom management reportedly denied GRA officials access to the premises. The confrontation allegedly resulted in one officer being assaulted and another official's phone being damaged.
According to Assistant Commissioner Joseph Adjeikwei Annan, the operation was prompted by intelligence received by the authority, leading officials from its headquarters to conduct a compliance check at Jamila Home. However, the team encountered resistance when attempting to gain entry. Mr. Annan stated that the officers involved had submitted statements to the authority, with the Criminal Investigations Department expected to obtain statements from the showroom's management.
The GRA has cautioned against attacks on revenue officers, stressing that assaulting officials in the discharge of their duties could attract criminal sanctions. Section 85 of the Revenue Administration Act prescribes a maximum prison term of 20 years for certain offenses involving obstruction or assault of revenue officials. The police will determine the next steps after hearing from both parties and conducting further investigations.
Jamila Home's Economic Advisor, Hillarius McCash, offered a different account of the events, explaining that the showroom operates under a business model that restricts unrestricted access due to its luxury antique dealings. Clients are usually briefed at the entrance before being admitted, while prospective buyers arrange appointments for private viewings. Mr. McCash stated that the GRA officer who visited on Wednesday arrived when the staff member responsible for the relevant documents was unavailable.
According to Mr. McCash, the showroom asked the officer to wait, reschedule the visit, or allow the documents to be brought to the GRA office, but the request was not accepted. Tensions escalated after the officers entered the premises, prompting security personnel to intervene. Mr. McCash maintained that Jamila Home had been filing its returns and making tax payments in line with its business activities.
The company's records are available for inspection, and its Value Added Tax (VAT) payments are current, with the most recent payment made about a month earlier. Mr. McCash explained that the showroom's business model allows customers to pay for antiques over an extended period, with some items remaining with suppliers until payments are completed. Sales are not frequent, with the business sometimes going between two and five months without completing a sale.
Despite the disagreement over the compliance exercise, Mr. McCash stated that the company is willing to cooperate with the GRA to address any concerns arising from the investigation. The GRA's investigation aims to establish the circumstances surrounding the confrontation and determine whether further compliance checks or a tax audit are required. The showroom's management will provide statements to the Criminal Investigations Department to facilitate the probe.
Key points
- The Ghana Revenue Authority is investigating an alleged assault on a revenue officer during a tax compliance operation at Jamila Home in Accra.
- The incident occurred on October 7, 2026, when showroom management denied GRA officials access to the premises.
- Jamila Home's management claims the company is tax compliant and willing to cooperate with the GRA's investigation.
