The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has shut down Soul Restaurant at East Legon in Accra after the establishment was found to be in breach of tax regulations during an enforcement exercise conducted on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
The operation forms part of a wider clampdown on non-compliant businesses across the capital, targeting firms suspected of evading or underreporting taxes.
According to the GRA, the affected businesses included Soul Restaurant, which was found to be issuing computer-generated invoices without special dispensation, filing payment returns without remittance, and under-declaring its revenues.
Other businesses flagged during the exercise include Janel Spaces at East Legon, which was found to be charging VAT without being registered, as well as Rision Industry Limited at Spintex, which was cited for selective issuance of receipts and under-declaration of income.
Chang Shang in Tema was also identified for non-issuance of VAT.
Speaking to the media after the operation, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Accra Central Enforcement, Joseph Adjeikwei Annan, explained the rationale behind the clampdown.
He noted that the GRA had received several reports of tax non-compliance, adding that some of the cases dated back to the previous year.
“Reports always come to us on non-compliance issues from the field. We have been doing some work, but this is the first time this year that we have engaged the media on our fourth week,” he explained.
Mr. Annan further disclosed that some businesses were deliberately avoiding tax obligations despite prior audits and notices.
“They have so much on their ledgers that they should claim, but they are not. And they are accumulating. There were earlier audits that were done. They have not paid. They’ve been listed for another audit, and they have been very invasive. Their own declarations too, they are not paying,” he stated.
He emphasized that the decision to shut down Soul Restaurant was necessary to protect state revenue.
“So, the only way out is to sell them off because revenue is at risk. So, that is exactly what we’ve done. We’ve invited them to the office. When they come, then we’ll see how to deal with them,” he added.
Mr. Annan also raised concerns about businesses operating without proper registration, particularly at Janel Spaces.
“They are not registered, but they are charging VAT… They are issuing their own receipts from the till… And yet, they are not registered with us,” he said.
He urged landlords and property owners to play an active role in ensuring tenants comply with tax laws.
“If you bring a criminal to your home, and it is established that it’s a criminal, you will solve your questions to answer,” he cautioned.
GRA says further audits, assessments, and possible prosecutions will follow as part of efforts to clamp down on tax evasion and protect national revenue.
