2024 Customs management retreat underway in Ho

The opening ceremony of the retreat, chaired by Togbe Kotoku XI, Paramount Chief of Kpenoe, saw commendations and calls to action from various dignitaries, emphasizing the critical role of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in revenue mobilization and national development. Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, highlighted the importance of the Customs Division in unlocking Ghana's development potential, particularly in the Volta Region, by ensuring fair trade practices, border security, and revenue generation.

The theme of the retreat, "Optimising engagement for enhanced revenue mobilisation in customs: Alone we are strong but together we are unstoppable," underscores the significance of collaboration among stakeholders. Dr. Letsa emphasized the need for trust and partnerships with traders, businesses, and communities to foster transparency and compliance, ultimately increasing revenue collection. He urged Customs Division personnel to employ innovative methods, including leveraging technology and utilizing local languages and communication channels, to educate stakeholders about customs procedures and enhance efficiency.

Dr. Letsa also stressed the importance of listening to stakeholders' concerns, addressing challenges, and upholding principles of integrity and accountability to overcome challenges posed by the global economic landscape.

Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, Commissioner-General of GRA, highlighted the Customs Division's remarkable growth in revenue collection and called for greater dedication to meet the revenue mobilization target for the year. Iddrisu Iddisah Seidu, Commissioner of Customs, emphasized the need for internal and external engagement to strengthen collaboration and enhance revenue collection, trade facilitation, and national security.

The retreat's topics include discussions on revenue performance, succession planning, and strategic measures to enhance revenue mobilization. Togbe Kotoku XI echoed the importance of taxes as contributions to the nation's development, likening them to religious tithes that must be adhered to diligently in the interest of the country. Overall, the ceremony set the tone for focused discussions and actions to optimize customs engagement for national development.