GRA Gets Two Customs Mobile Laboratory Vans

Emmanuel Kofi Nti receiving the keys to the two vans from Ambassador Ron Strikker with support from Isaac Crentsil, Dr Korte and others

To enhance the operations of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Netherlands government and the GIZ Good Financial Governance programme in Ghana have presented two custom-built mobile laboratory vans to the Customs Division to improve its service delivery.

At the official event to hand over the vans, the Netherlands Ambassador to Ghana, Ron Strikker said the vans will aid in the rapid mobilization of revenue, combat corruption and reduce the cost of doing business in the country.

“These vans fit well into the new government’s policy of making Ghana the most business friendly nation in Africa, reduce cost of doing business, trade and investment and that is exactly what Ghana and we want.”

The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Emmanuel Kofi Nti, in an address said, each van was tailor made to meet the needs of GRA to further enhance its service delivery.

Custom Division of GRA, he noted, plays a multiple role in revenue collection through trade facilitation and boarder protection, and it is responsible for the collection of import duties, import vat, import NHIL, petroleum tax and other taxes.

Mr Nti said the role of customs laboratories have evolved over time with changes in the international trade environment.

“In addition to their work in the traditional areas of customs, such as analysis for classification of goods, customs laboratories now play an important role in strategic trade controls enforcements, combating illicit trade, anti–smuggling operations protecting consumers from harmful goods, safeguarding the environment, among others.

“These modern developments have made it imperative for GRA to upgrade its customs laboratories with the latest innovations in technology and working methods by the acquisition of mobile laboratories and portable devices.”

The Commissioner of the Customs Division, Isaac Crentsil, said the laboratory units have come at an opportune time when GRA is going paperless at the country’s ports.

“The units will greatly complement the system, as well as enhance business operations of GRA, as it has the ability to detect and identify items present in cargo for imports or exports by using modern technologies, thus combating smuggling activities.”

Mr Crentsil averred that the bilateral relations between Ghana, the kingdom of Netherlands and Germany had been strengthened through the donation.

“It is our expectation that the two mobile laboratory vans would lead to an improvement in service delivery by the Customs Division.

Present at the handing over ceremony were Dr Nina Korte of GIZ-GFG Revenue Component Manager, representatives of the Ministers of Finance and Trade and other dignitaries.

(lindatenyah@gmail.com)

By Linda Tenyah-Ayettey