After struggling to meet monthly revenue targets in the first quarter of 2023, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) says it has begun exceeding its monthly targets.
The Commissioner of the Customs Division, Alhaji Seidu Iddrisu Idissah, expressed optimism about meeting their annual target by the end of this year.
He said the necessary measures that have been put in place to smoothen the process are yielding positive results.
In an interview with Citi News on the sidelines of the 2nd National Delegates Congress and Provident Fund Annual General Meeting in Koforidua, Iddrisu said, “Between January and April 2023, we couldn’t meet our monthly targets, but from May, we started meeting and exceeding our targets. As a whole GRA, we exceeded the target for the period.”
Idrissu indicated that porous borders remain a major challenge to their work, but assured that collaborative engagements with other border agencies and deployment of modern technology will mitigate the challenge.
“Porous borders will continue to be a challenge. Borders by their nature, there will always be some elements of porosity. There are people who can use all sorts of means to cross the borders, either by boats, motorbikes, or walking. They can be coming in themselves as threats to a nation, because terrorists can do that. And they can bring their elements of terror.”
“A car can be carrying tomatoes and guns can be hidden under the tomatoes. We always have to come up with strategies to curb this menace. Some collaborations include joint collaborations between border agencies. We are also using modern technologies such as scanners. We also have other measures,” he said.
Addressing the service commanders and delegates via Zoom, Comptroller General Reverend Dr Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah stressed the importance of sharing timely information to strengthen the gains made so far.
“It’s important to share information amongst yourselves on a timely basis,” he urged.
The programme was under the theme “Promoting the culture of information sharing to Enhance Border Security and Revenue Collection; The Role of CSA and Management.”