The Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has expressed concern over what he describes as widespread abuse in the collection of excise duties, particularly on wines and spirits, warning that the situation has resulted in substantial revenue losses for the state.
According to him, the government has identified significant leakages in the administration of excise taxes on alcoholic beverages, prompting the introduction of new legislative measures aimed at strengthening enforcement and improving domestic revenue mobilisation.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, July 23, Mr. Nyarko Ampem disclosed that although excise duties on wines and spirits were estimated to generate approximately GH¢5 billion between 2023 and 2025, the actual amount collected during the period was only about GH¢1 billion.
He indicated that the large gap between the estimated revenue potential and the amount realised underscores the urgent need to tighten the legal framework governing excise duty collection and close loopholes that have allowed the abuse to persist.
To address the challenge, the Deputy Minister formally laid the Excise Bill, 2026, before Parliament, explaining that the proposed legislation seeks to strengthen the country’s excise tax regime and ensure that the government is able to recover more of the revenue due from the sector.
According to him, the bill forms part of broader government efforts to improve tax administration, reduce revenue leakages and enhance the mobilisation of domestic resources to support national development.
“We have seen a lot of abuse in excise, specifically in the area of wines and spirits. Between 2023 and 2025, the value of duties we could have derived from wines and spirits is estimated at GH¢5 billion, however, only about GH¢1 billion was saved and so we are coming with an amendment to tighten some provisions to secure our revenue.”
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