CUSTOMS DIVISION OF GRA WORRIED

   The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority has raised serious concerns about the continuous misrepresentation and vilification of the Division as a corrupt institution whose staff are only in to use the state organization to acquire private wealth at the expense of the entire nation. Such negative perceptions and media publicity, according to the Authority, is seriously undermining revenue collection efforts of the Division.The Kumasi Sector Commander of the Customs Division, Assistant Commissioner Isaac Kofi Toffah, who expressed the reservation in Kumasi, admitted that even though there may be some unscrupulous individual workers within the Service just like it pertains in every organization in the country, it is unfair for anybody or group to describe the whole Customs Division as being corrupt. Mr. Toffah was addressing media practitioners in the Ashanti region at a day’s sensitization workshop about the workings of the Ghana Revenue Authority with emphasis on the Customs Division. 

A section of the Journalists at the sensitization workshop

Assistant Commissioner Mr. Isaac Kofi Toffah

The Kumasi Customs Sector Commander mentioned tax evasion and smuggling as some of the major draw backs to the ability of the GRA to generate the required revenue for national socio-economic development. Aside from these, Mr. Toffah mentioned also very challenging working environment the staff have had to endure in the performance of their duties. He mentioned for instance the acute under staffing while a large number of the present staff are due for their mandatory retirement from next year, thereby exerting so much stress on the inadequate staff. Mr. Toffah disclosed that about a week ago, senior member of staff in the Kumasi sector took rat poison to commit suicide due to too much stress. He was however saved. Mr. Toffah, who is a former Commandant of the Customs Training School, therefore appealed to especially the media to help build a good corporate image for the GRA just as they have a duty to expose illegal activities in the interest of the state. On his part, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Communications and Public Affairs, Robert Nana Mensah, disclosed that the management of the GRA has restored the policy to reward any informant whose tip-off about tax evasion or smuggling can lead to the retrieval of all monies due the state up to 25 thousand Ghana Cedis or 25 percent of the amount retrieved as an incentive for all citizens to actively get involved in fighting against tax evasion and smuggling in the country adding that just last week, one such informant benefited from the policy. Nana Mensah disclosed also that 110 newly recruited junior staff of the Customs Division recruited early this year are now at training before their postings to various duty posts. The Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association, Listowel Yesu Bukarson urged the media not to bastardize the GRA but rather clarify any information relating to the service before publication.