Customs officers urged to improve knowledge in ICT

The Commissioner of Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Colonel Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd), has called on officers to acquire knowledge in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to enable them to discharge their duties effectively.

He said it was important officers of the Division improved their knowledge in ICT because almost everything concerning their work depended on it.

“We are trying various systems and may come up with something very soon by the first half of next year, and we are praying that all of you will train yourselves very well to be able to use the systems,” he added.

Col. Damoah made the call at the weekend at Paga in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region when he paid a visit to the officers as part of his nationwide tour to interact with personnel of his outfit.

“Don’t wait until the new system comes into play and you are unable to do anything about it. On your own, try to improve upon your IT skills. IT is going to be the core mark of everything from now onwards,” he said.

He encouraged those who already had the skills to improve on it adding that acquisition of knowledge generally was critical for the effective service delivery of the officers.

Mr Yakubu Seidu, a Deputy Commissioner of the Preventive Unit of Customs Division, said they were impressed with the activeness of officers at the checkpoints in the Region, which would enhance the work.

He said the role of the Division was not only revenue collection but to ensure security, and urged them to work with integrity, professionalism and fairness.

“District Level Election is approaching; we are part of the team, please go there and portray a good image of Ghana Revenue Authority, Customs Division,” he added.

The officers were commended for their contribution in recent joint multinational operations, which led to the arrest of 427 Ghanaians and other foreign nationals.

Mr Seidu advised them to go on individual patrols and cautioned the Nation Builders Corps trainees under the GRA Module not to arrest anybody because they had no mandate to do so.

On their dressing, Mr Paul Achaab, a Divisional Sergeant Major, expressed disappointment at officers who wore slippers and dressed improperly at the barrier check points.



“You the young ones that will be manning the barriers now, we want you to dress according to our dress code,” he said.