Attorney General embarrasses Ghana with bad GRA math at Tullow arbitration

The tax dispute between Ghana's tax authorities (GRA) and Tullow Oil began in 2018 when GRA claimed Tullow owed ~$140 million in taxes for 2013-2014, later increasing the claim to ~$331 million for 2012-2016.

Tullow argued its agreements with Ghana exempted it from such taxes, citing stability clauses that limited taxation to explicitly stated terms. The International Court of Arbitration ruled in Tullow's favor, asserting that Ghana violated these agreements.

GRA's case was marred by missteps, including a $137 million error in tax calculations and weak legal strategies. The tribunal's ruling highlights the need for thorough mediation and accurate assessments. Ghana can learn from Uganda's meticulous handling of similar disputes to avoid costly legal battles and maintain its fiscal reputation.