The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) says the decision to rent a private property to be used as Small Taxpayer Office (STO), was reached after thorough value for money analysis.

Acting Board Chair of the Authority, Mrs Adelaide Ahwireng has been accused of putting herself in a conflict of interest situation following her decision to rent out her personal property at Agbobloshie in Accra to the GRA at an annual cost of over half a million cedis.

This has been described by critics as highly exorbitant given its location.

According to a Daily Guide report, the three-storey duplex commercial building comprising open spaces, wet ancillary areas was rented out for GH₵ 49,035.16 per month or GH₵ 588,421.92 per annum to be used as Small Taxpayer Officer (STO) of the GRA.

The act of giving out her personal commercial property to an entity for which she serves as Board Chair has been described as a conflict of interest situation.

However, in a rebuttal on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Tuesday, Esi Coleman noted that the decision to rent the property followed a “value-for-money” considerations.

She disclosed that revenue collection has increased astronomically since the GRA moved to the office. due to its proximity to traders.

Madam Coleman noted that they looked out for strategic location and facilities available to improve revenue collections and the Board Chair’s properties have so far paid off.

She also added that the valuation of the property which was done prior to payment, was approved by the Board of GRA.

Madam Coleman maintained that in comparative terms, the rent paid for the property was cheaper than others they considered.

She added that renting of the building was an interim measure because the Authority had it as part of its plans to build offices in 2020.