Customs division targets GH¢15.5 billion for 2020

The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), says the revenue target for the year 2020 is GHc15.5 billion, the Commissioner, Col. Kwadwo Damoah (Rtd) has announced.

He has therefore admonished officers to rededicate their efforts for increased revenue mobilisation and collection.

He has also charged them to show commitment to duty, prevention of revenue leakages and eschew negative attitude and tendencies at the workplace or in their operations.

Speaking at the end of year get-together at Kwofie Gardens, Customs Divisional Headquarters today [Friday, February 28, 2020], he said the ”…job before us for the year is a daunting challenge and we need all hands on deck. It must not be just a matter of reporting for work. It is a matter of working hard, giving out your best and considering your contribution as vital to the success of the Customs Division and for that matter the nation”.

He challenged them to develop a positive mentality towards work, adding management ”is striving to solve our problems of logistics and work environment”.

Management he assured would try to provide the motivation necessary for officers to perform and for increased productivity.

According to him, the Customs Divison’s performance is usually wrongly assessed and judged based on only the revenue aspect of their mandate.

He said the public and even the authorities who should know better, ignore the other equally important functions of the Customs Division among which are trade facilitation, security provision, in combatting cross-border crimes, terrorism, money laundering, security generally and public safety.

The public he opined will show no sympathy under any circumstances, once they fail to achieve their revenue target.

The Commissioner-General Mr Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, who graced the occasion, stressed on the need for officers to put in their best so they can achieve their targets.

He also challenged them to be creative and innovative to meet the changing trends in technology and their ability to crack down on illegal activities.

Using the analogy of how the iPhone brand has evolved over the years, he admonished his officers to adapt to change to meet the new technologies being employed by illegal persons to beat the system.

He commended the officers for their hard work and urged them to work hard to make the nation proud.

Some top security officials including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Lt. Gen. Obed Akwa and Controller of Immigration Kwame Asuah Takyi graced the occasion.

The former Commissioner-General, Emmanuel Kofi Nti and other personalities were also present.

Deserving officers were also recognised for their dedication and hardworking the year under review.