CITG urges new tax professionals to uphold professionalism in national service

By Buertey Francis BORYOR

New graduates of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, Ghana (CITG) have been urged to uphold the highest standards of integrity, honesty and fairness as they enter the professional tax practice.

President of the Institute, Enerstina Christina Appiah, while addressing the 2025 Graduation and Membership Induction Ceremony in Accra, said the relevance and credibility of the tax profession depends on practitioners who consistently demonstrate ethics in the service of clients, institutions and the nation.

She said adherence to strong values remains fundamental to the identity and mandate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, adding that no amount of technical expertise can substitute for ethical conduct. “Integrity, honesty, transparency and fairness are the pillars upon which our profession stands,” she noted, urging the inductees to hold these values firmly as they take on greater responsibilities in the country’s tax administration and revenue mobilisation efforts.

The ceremony, held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, marked a significant milestone for the Institute as 250 newly qualified chartered tax practitioners were inducted after completing their examinations and the mandatory one-year post-qualification working experience. The Institute also graduated 269 associates who completed the August 2025 professional examinations, alongside 24 graduates of the Advanced Diploma in Transfer Pricing programme.

Mrs Appiah reminded the inductees that taxation remains the backbone of national development and an essential driver of public finance, especially in periods of economic difficulty. She said the country’s ability to sustain growth depends on tax practitioners who can guide individuals, businesses and institutions toward compliance, responsible planning and sound decision-making.

She emphasised that while the Institute continues to provide world-class training, ongoing professional development and global-standard certification, it is the individual practitioner’s commitment to ethics that ultimately protects the public interest. She further urged practitioners to support national efforts aimed at widening the tax net, enhancing compliance and strengthening revenue mobilisation. “When individuals, businesses and the state embrace a spirit of burden-sharing, we build a system that is fair and sustainable,” she added.

Mrs Appiah encouraged the graduands to carry forward the Institute’s values of professional excellence, ethical conduct and national development, expressing confidence in their ability to contribute meaningfully to the economy. She urged them to navigate their careers with discipline, determination and a dedication to service.

Speaking to the media, Vice President of the Institute, Fred Kwashie Awutey, described the ceremony as an important transition for the inductees, who have now acquired the qualifications required to practise as tax professionals, sign tax returns and advise clients in line with national laws. He emphasised that well-trained tax experts play a critical role in mobilising domestic revenue and correcting misinformation offered by unqualified individuals who often encourage evasion and non-compliance.

He stated that proper training empowers practitioners to guide taxpayers on complying with the law, planning their taxes responsibly and avoiding unnecessary exposure. He added that qualified practitioners also help ensure that taxpayers who underpay meet their obligations, while those who risk overpaying are protected from avoidable liabilities.

Commenting on the 2026 Budget, Mr Awutey said government’s planned reforms- such as increased VAT thresholds and changes to rate structures may appear at first glance to reduce revenue, but could in the long term widen the tax base and improve compliance. He explained that when rates are perceived as reasonable, taxpayers are more likely to comply voluntarily, which ultimately boosts revenue performance.

On ethical conduct, he said the Institute has a clear disciplinary framework to address misconduct, including advising clients to evade taxes, misappropriating client funds or aiding illegal tax practices. Such breaches, he warned, can lead to penalties, delisting and prosecution under the law. He urged the new inductees to stay guided by the Institute’s code of ethics, which aligns with global standards.

The event formed part of the Institute’s broader mandate to advance professionalism in taxation, promote ethical practice and strengthen national revenue systems under the theme of excellence and integrity.

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