GRA will step up efforts to boost revenue generation — GRA-Customs Commissioner

The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) will intensify the special reforms, initiatives and interventions to be implemented to boost the country's revenue generation and build a robust GRA, the Commissioner of the GRA-Customs, Brigadier General Zibrim Bawah Ayorrogo, has said.

He said some of the programmes were already in place before he took office, and he had resolved to step up those initiatives to improve the sector.

He mentioned some of the activities as education and awareness creation and more collaboration with other security agencies, particularly at the land borders to prevent smuggling.

Brig. Gen. Ayorrogo stated this when he addressed the media in Sunyani in the Bono Region last Wednesday as part of his familiarisation tour of the region.

The tour formed part of the commissioner’s working itinerary since assuming office in April, 2024. He visited the various collection points across all the regions to interact with the staff, inspect facilities and discuss operational issues.

He also held meetings with the customs officers at their various collection points to discuss their concerns and challenges, and encouraged the officers whom he described as very important in helping the GRA to achieve its target.

The GRA-Customs Commissioner said the visit had enabled him to understand challenges facing the operations of the GRA.

Brig. Gen. Ayorrogo said some of the collections had logistics issues and explained that the government had procured them to be distributed to enhance their operations.

He mentioned vehicles, tents, helmets, raincoats, torches and scanners as some of the logistics procured to be distributed to enhance operations of customs officials. 

Initiatives

As part of the initiatives, Brig. Gen. Ayorrogo GRA stated that the GRA had intensified tax education by visiting churches, mosques and other social gatherings to encourage the public to honour their tax obligations, explaining that tax education was one of the key initiatives to help improve the country's revenue.

Also, he said the GRA was collaborating with other security services such as the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) to halt smuggling of goods in and out of the country's borders.

"So far, GRA is doing well. We are achieving our target; nevertheless, we need to do more because the last quarter is always a challenge, especially when we are in an election year,” he emphasised.

No sympathy for corrupt officials

Brig. Gen. Ayorrogo further indicated that the GRA was putting measures in place to improve staff discipline and professionalism while investing in capacity-building and training of officers to improve their skills and knowledge.

He vowed to fight corruption, imbibe discipline and professionalism among officers to change the image of the authority.

"Under my administration, no compromise, no sympathy for corrupt staff. What I need is evidence. Once I have evidence against a staff indulged in corrupt practices, there will be no sympathy.

"I'm not talking about hearsay. If we get evidence against any staff, he will be in trouble," he said.

The GRA-Customs Commissioner urged the public, particularly the media, to support the GRA to fight corruption by reporting corrupt practices in order to reduce corruption at the GRA.

"Don't run away when we approach you for evidence. Evidence is the only way we can fight corruption," he said.

Writer's email: biiya.ali@graphic.com.gh