The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwesi Sarpong, has said it will work with Tullow Ghana to resolve a US$393 million tax dispute.
According to the GRA Commissioner-General, they will collaborate with Tullow to settle $393m tax liability without disrupting its petroleum operations.
Speaking in an interview with Joy Business, Anthony Kwesi Sarpong welcomed the ruling and said the authority would engage all parties to settle the dispute amicably.
He stated, “The Ghana Revenue Authority welcomes the news of victory at the London Arbitration sustaining a tax claim of over US$393 million”.
“He mentioned that the win is significant as it demonstrates that GRA fairly applies Ghana’s tax laws to businesses both international and local, adding ” when there is a dispute, we follow the rules”.
“Mr Sarpong explained that the GRA considered Tullow as a significant business partner in our petroleum sector and emphasised that they will work with them to ensure that the tax obligation is settled in a manner that is not disruptive to Tullow’s business.
“GRA remains committed to protecting the country’s interest and placing Ghana first in our dealings,” he noted.
His assurance follows a ruling by an international tribunal affirming GRA’s tax assessment as lawful.
The development follows the Finance Ministry’s announcement that Ghana has secured a major victory in an international tax arbitration case involving Tullow Ghana Limited.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, September 30, the Finance Ministry disclosed that an arbitral tribunal ruled in favour of the Republic over the taxation of business interruption insurance proceeds.
The arbitral tribunal ruling dismissed all claims brought by Tullow and upheld in full the Ghana Revenue Authority’s tax assessment of US$393,091,993.70.
The Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, disclosed that the tribunal found that the assessment did not breach the Petroleum Agreements, adding that the penalty was properly applied, the assessment was not time-barred, and the GRA’s enforcement action was lawful.
Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, in a press release, detailed, “Accra, Wednesday, 30th September 2026 …An arbitral tribunal constituted under the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce yesterday delivered its award in proceedings brought against the Republic of Ghana by Tullow Ghana Limited over the taxation of business interruption insurance proceeds
2. The Tribunal ruled in favour of Ghana
3. It dismissed all claims brought by Tullow and upheld in full the Ghana Revenue Authority’s tax assessment of US$393,091,993.70.
4. The Tribunal found that the assessment did not breach the Petroleum Agreements, the penalty was properly applied, the assessment was not time-barred, and the Ghana Revenue Authority’s enforcement action was lawful
5. I acknowledge the work of the Office of the Attorney-General, the Ghana Revenue Authority and Ghana’s external legal counsel, Foley Hoag LLP, in defending the interests of the Republic.
6. This outcome vindicates the position Ghana has maintained throughout: that every company operating in this country, regardless of its size, is subject to the laws of Ghana,
7. Government notes that this award has come at a critical time when Ghana and the Jubilee partners are working to maximise the prospects of the Jubilee and Ten Fields
8. Government prior to the award, was in discussions with Tullow to resolve amicably the outstanding tax matters between the parties. These discussions will continue covering both the matter determined by the Tribunal and the separate proceedings concerning the disallowance of loan interest. The discussions are ongoing and would be resolved in the mutual interest of both parties.
9. Tullow remains a vital partner to Ghana and is the country’s largest petroleum producer. Its operations in the Jubilee and TEN fields support Ghana’s energy security, domestic gas supply and thousands of Ghanaian livelihoods. It is in the national interest that this relationship endures
10. The Government will therefore work closely with Tullow to give effect to the award in accordance with Ghanaian law. In doing so, the Government will have due regard to the continuity of operations in the Jubilee and TEN fields and Tullow’s capacity to sustain the investments required in those fields.
11. Ghana’s laws provide the Ghana Revenue Authority with the means to determine the time and manner in which assessed liabilities are met. The Government intends to ensure that the award is implemented in a way that secures the revenues due to the Ghanaian people while preserving Tullow’s ability to continue operating and investing in Ghana as a GOING CONCERN”.
@ghnow_ Zubby Michael prepares for his first scene as production begins for A Journey to Africa in Ghana. #fyp #GHnow ♬ original sound – Freedom Official
@ghnow_ Zubby Michael prepares for his first scene as production begins for A Journey to Africa in Ghana. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – Alpha Promoter
