Customs officials should be trade facilitators – Minister

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Trade and Industry, has urged officials of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to be trade facilitators and not just compliance agents.

He said when importers and exporters were satisfied with clearing of their goods, it went a long way to yield gains to the nation because they were encouraged to bring in more goods for clearance.

Mr Iddrisu said this during a tour of some facilities at the Tema Harbour, together with Mrs Dzifa Aku Attivor, Minister of Transport and Mr Cassiell Ato Forson, Deputy Minister of Finance.

He said the government had decided to put in measures to ensure that the clearance of goods at the ports did not pose any hazards to importers and exporters.

Mr Iddrisu said by the Destination Inspection provisions of the country, the clearance of goods at the ports did not have to take more than 72 hours.

He asked the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority to establish a hot line for complaints from people who were not satisfied with the clearing of their goods.

Mrs Attivor said: “We want to create an environment that enhances trade.”

She said government would build a road network at the harbour, particularly made to enhance the movement of goods.

Source: GNA