Disband Special Operation Unit - PSWU

The Public Services Workers Union (PSWU) has appealed to the government to disband the Special Operation Unit (Task Force), set up to monitor revenue collection at the harbour.

Mr Richard Amparbeng, General Secretary of the PSWU, indicated that, though the union was not opposed to any form of revenue mobilization, nevertheless it would not look on unconcerned, when the structures of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is being undermined.

“We have structures, but the task force is operating like the GRA has no regulations”.

Mr Amparbeng was speaking at the opening of a three-day extra ordinary meeting of the GRA in Koforidua, on Friday, which was attended by 30 National officers, to deliberate on labour issues including the constitutional review of the GRA.

Referring to a claim that the task force was able to rake in GHC60,000 within two weeks of its operations, he said Ghanaians were not told the cost of the operation, adding that, the cost of their operations was more than the revenue they generated.

“Our revenue officers are humans; we should do well to maintain the integrity of the GRA”.

Mr Amparbeng indicated that if revenue collectors are given the same resources, they will perform better.

“Traders are now reluctant to import goods through the Ports due to delays by members of the task force in the cross-examination of goods”.

He wondered why members of the task force would not be at the point of examination of goods, but wait after the procedure before re-examining the items again, wasting the precious time of importers.

Mr Amparbeng appealed to the government to rather rely on the National Security in the examination of goods rather than on the members of the task force.

He wondered if the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning was involved in the setting up of the task force and urged it to add its voice if they are not part of the system.

Mr Amparbeng took the opportunity to advice importers to do the right thing and not to tempt custom officers.