Customs boss raps officers to collect optimum revenue

The Commander of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in charge of the Kotoka International Airport, Assistant Commissioner I.T.D Abbey, has charged officers of the division at the airport to exhibit a high standard of professionalism when carrying out their core mandate of collecting the optimum revenue for the state.

 “I want to assure those of us on the ground that the battle is still on,” he told officers of the division at a reception in Accra, reminding them that “it is already the middle of the year and we have not been able to fully tackle our core mandate”.

Purpose of reception

The reception was to celebrate the great success chalked up in 2015, strategise for the second half of 2016 and also to bid farewell to 13 officers who have been transferred.

The 13 officers were an integral part of the team that was able to exceed the target for 2015 by over GH¢450 million.

Mixed feelings

It was with mixed feelings of sadness and joy that the officers stepped forward one after another to receive parting gifts from officials and guests as a token for their hard work the previous year.

“This achievement eluded KIA Collection for over seven years,” he said, and added that it was the contribution of the 13 officers that enabled the division to exceed its target.

Basing his advice on a quotation in Proverbs 1: 7-8 in the Holy Bible, Mr Abbey urged the officers “to first give reverence to God” and also, “listen to what is wise and try to understand it,” adding that it was God who gave wisdom and knowledge.

Well done

Addressing the transferred officers, Mr Abbey congratulated them and expressed the hope that they would continue to exhibit  their skills and prowess wherever they found themselves.

“I wish you all Godspeed and favour in your new collection,” he told the officers.

While acknowledging the enormity of the task ahead of the unit this year with lesser number of staff, Mr Abbey charged the officers brought to replace the transferred ones to bring on board their rich experiences to enable the unit to maintain or even improve on its  provious year’s performance.

Collaboration

The acting Director, Commercial Service of the Ghana Airport Company Ltd, Mr Stephen Kofi Yeboah, said his outfit and the GRA, Customs Division, would collaborate even more effectively to mobilise funds for the state.

He congratulated the winning team of 2015 and wished those transferred well in their new locations, charging them to let their presence impact positively wherever they found themselves.  

Writer’s email: severious.dery@graphic.com.gh