National Revenue Under Threat

As CEPS Officers Protest Against Bad Service Conditions & Neglect

News Desk Report

Coming events they say cast their shadows; and it is based on this wise saying that is why The Informer in the next few days will direct its radar to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), and to deal decisively with some persons including Mr. E.E. Kwesie, as result of confusing developments emerging within the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, formerly known as Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS); issues threatening to put the nation’s revenue mobilization into jeopardy.

Credible information picked up by The Informer as of press time yesterday, Sunday 11th March, 2012, has it that, there is a great danger ahead, following how disheartened personnel of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority have become, as a result of insensitivity on the part of authorities of the GRA, particularly, Mr. E.E. Kwesie. Poor medical provision, non-existence of proper welfare package, non–promotion and absolute refusal on the part of authorities of the GRA to adequately resourced personnel, are said to have accounted for the low morale in the service.

According to the Informer’s insider’s sources, for five (5) good years now, there has not been a single promotion, let alone supply of uniforms, yet Mr. E.E. Kwesie and his Board, persistently spent money to hold meetings, sometimes outside Accra, which is of no benefit to officers who work uncompromisingly to raise the much-needed revenue for government.

“Ever since we became member of the GRA, nothing has worked perfectly for us (customs officers), simply because Kwesie and his cartel have virtually taken over the running of the service and do what pleases them”, some aggrieved officers told the Informer.

“In fact, Kwesie and his gang have decided to run the institution as their personal property; and do not care about the poor condition under which we work to raise the revenue they spend on their unnecessary and completely unbeneficial meetings”, they added.

“Supply of uniforms has even become a problem even though information has it that our Commissioner, Major–General Carl Modey has made several appeals to the Board for the provision of uniforms, yet to no avail. According to our information, the Board chairman, Mr. E.E. Kwesie claims there is no money: However, he prefer to waste money in the name of needless meetings where he can pay himself huge sums in allowance”, the angry officers pointed.

“It is now difficult to distinguish between CEPS officers and employees of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and other private security companies, unless one gets closer; basically, because our uniform has been taken over by them. But Kwesie sees nothing wrong about this and has made meetings his priority because he will benefit”, personnel indicated.

A leading member of the local union at CEPS, on his part, indicated that even though they have petition the President and are waiting for his opinion about the bizarre developments talking place at Customs ever since the integration, if immediately steps are not taken to remedy the situation, the national revenue would remain under a great threat, following how unpatriotic officers have became.

According to this member, because all those at the helm of affairs left Customs on a very bitter note, particularly Kwesie, they have sworn heaven and earth not to allow things work properly at CEPS; hence their decision to sabotage the Commissioner, Major-General Carl Modey as well as all his deputies. “Kwesie and his gang have refused to pay transfer allowances to officers, a provision under the Customs Act, and this and many other activities they engaged in, is killing the morale of hardworking officers, who work dispassionately to raise the monies for government”.

However, intelligence information picked up, also indicates that, Mr. E.E. Kwesie’s appointment to the GRA Board, is completely illegal, details and many more revelations about Mr. Kwesie, The Informer will make public pretty soon. But before we explode, we kindly call on the President to ratify the situation before it gets out of control, in order to save the national revenue from falling into jeopardy. Stay tuned for more juicy updates about developments at GRA, and particularly Mr. Kwesie.