GCTU has hosted the 4th Graduation and Induction Ceremony of the Chartered Institute of Tax Law and Forensic Accountants (CITLFA), Ghana, on Saturday, 20 December 2025, at the Florence Onny Auditorium.
Held under the theme “The Intersection between Forensic Auditing and Statutory Auditing in Combating Fraud and Corruption in Governance and the Workplace,” the ceremony marked the successful completion of professional training for a new cohort of forensic and tax professionals.
Speaking at the event, the Dean of the GCTU Business School and Chairman of the Ceremony, Prof. George Ampong, highlighted the importance of the partnership between GCTU and CITLFA in bridging the gap between academia and professional practice. He noted that, just as investigative journalists combat corruption, investigative accountants must also fight fraud and corruption. “The extent to which you fight fraud and corruption will determine your impact on society,” he stated, urging the graduands to uphold high ethical standards and maintain public trust.
In his remarks, Assistant Commissioner and Head of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD) Training Division at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Lawyer Lawrence Hotsonyame, said tax evasion and fraud have far-reaching consequences that cripple governance, weaken institutions and hinder national development. He described tax evasion as the illegal act of deliberately avoiding the payment of taxes owed, including actions such as failing to report all income, concealing assets, making false or misleading statements to the Commissioner-General and failing to register with tax authorities.
According to him, individuals and businesses globally evade taxes through underreporting income, overstating expenses and operating in informal or illegal markets. He further explained that tax fraud involves the intentional falsification of information on tax documents to reduce, avoid or illegally obtain tax benefits or refunds. Such acts include filing false tax returns, using fake documents or identities and falsifying business records.
Delivering the keynote address, the Founder and Executive Director of CITLFA, Ghana, Mr. Eric Oduro Esq., described corruption and fraud in governance and the workplace as a blatant affront to humanity. He called on employers to recruit CITLFA graduates, noting that they are equipped with in-depth knowledge and skills in forensic accounting, tax fraud examination, data analytics and related fields. “You are agents in the fight against corruption. Avoid financial impropriety, bribery, embezzlement and malfeasance,” he urged the graduands, encouraging them to be good ambassadors and demonstrate their professional competence.
Mr. Oduro further indicated that the Institute is ready to collaborate with the government to expand its operations for the betterment of Ghana. Touching on tax compliance and evasion, he lamented the use of complex and avoidable schemes by some multinational companies and successful SMEs, including transfer pricing, income splitting, thin capitalization, changes in accounting bases and dividend payments. “These are tactics some institutions use to confuse and confound the GRA. One thing I admire about the GRA, especially the Large Taxpayer Office, is their competence,” he remarked.
In a brief address, the Paramount Chief of the Nandom Traditional Area and Consulting Dermatologist, Naa Prof. Edmund N. Delle Chiir VIII, emphasized that success in life is anchored in character. “If you do not have character, you will not go far. You may have many degrees but once an institution realizes you lack character, you cannot progress,” he said. He advised the graduands to place integrity at the center of their professional lives and work diligently to eradicate or at least minimize corruption and other malfeasant acts.
In all, 15 professionals graduated with specializations in Chartered Tax Law and Forensic Investigation and Chartered Tax Law and Forensic Accounting and were duly inducted into the Institute. Mrs. Sitsofe Abla Addae emerged as the Best Graduating Student, winning four awards.
