Exporters welcome Customs' export review

The Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana has welcomed the review of the export procedures at Tema Harbour by the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority.

The Commissioner of Customs, Mr Wallace Akondor, this week announced the setting up of four- member committee to review the export processes at the port.

According to him, the committee is mandated to investigate and identify weaknesses in the monitoring and documentation of exports and other export related issues including compliance with international trade, safety and security policies.

Executive Secretary of the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana, Mr Sampson Awingobit Asaki, told Ghana News Agency that such a review would help in a smooth export process.

Mr Asaki said proper documentation is a vital aspect of the export business and must be taken seriously and indicated that his outfit is ready to collaborate with Customs to provide the needed education to exporters on the necessary documentation, as well as issues on internationally and locally banned goods.

He however appealed to the Commissioner of Customs to publish a list of the banned items in the media so that exporters would be well informed on the issue.

Mr Asaki urged the Commissioner not to alert exporters on the illegality of exporting banned goods but should also check customs officials who aid recalcitrant exporters to smuggle successfully banned items to and from the country.