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According to him, the GRA collected GH¢6.1 billion in customs revenue in July 2026, up from about GH¢4 billion per month before the full implementation of the artificial intelligence-driven system.

Mr. Sarpong made the disclosure when he led the GRA's Board of Directors, Commissioners and senior members on a courtesy visit to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on Friday, 07 August 2026, to introduce the Board, seek his blessings, and announce the departure of Madam Agnes Adu Gyamfi Adjei, the Ashanti Regional Director of the GRA.

Briefing the Asantehene, Mr. Sarpong said the reforms began at Customs, where the technology was introduced in April.

"We implemented some reforms. We started at Customs. We have introduced modern technology there. It started in April. It is going well. When the Finance Minister went to Parliament recently, he announced it," he said.

He added that revenue had climbed steadily since the rollout. "Prior to that, we got GH¢4 billion. In the past three months, we have mobilised GH¢5.5 billion. In the sixth month, we got GH¢6 billion. This shows that the mandate is duly being delivered," he said.

Responding, the Asantehene appealed to the GRA to broaden its focus beyond conventional taxpayers and target untapped sectors to widen the national tax net, stressing that equitable revenue collection was critical for national development.

"Many people do not pay tax. Devise avenues to get them and tax them. Some people do not even know they have to pay taxes. Sensitise the public about the need to pay taxes so they accept it. Don't rely solely on the conventional taxpayers. The mechanics, barbers, and others must be reached through their associations. You can set a quota for the associations to mobilise periodically. Turn focus on the unconventional sector," he said, noting that this would help ease the burden on traditional taxpayers.

Otumfuo further stressed that revenue growth depended heavily on the integrity of tax collectors themselves, cautioning that corrupt practices and official dishonesty undermine public trust and deny the state crucial funds.

"If your officers decide to cancel tax debt for their personal gain, that goes against the state. If we don't want to go for loans, then we need to mobilise revenue locally, and that will spur development," he said, adding that integrity would earn the Authority and its staff honour. "Your names will be on record as the staff or officials within whose tenure the authority amassed such historic revenue."

While commending Mr. Sarpong's leadership for the noticeable improvements in national revenue collection, the Asantehene warned that significant revenue leakages persisted within the system, pointing to administrative loopholes, underreporting and collection inefficiencies. He appealed to GRA management to double its mobilisation efforts with aggressive anti-leakage measures.

The GRA delegation included the Board Chairman, George Kweku Ricketts-Hagam, Mr Patrick Nomo, Madam Faustina Nelson, Mr George Aryeetey, Laadi Agyamba and Francis-Xavier Sosu, all board members.