By Juliet Akosua Danquah
The Presidential Adviser on the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development, Goosie Tanoh, has issued a strong warning against individuals and groups he described as “economic saboteurs” who abuse Ghana’s customs transit, bonded warehouse and auction regimes for personal gain.
Speaking at the 5th Annual General Meeting of the Customs House Agents Ghana (ACHAG) in Akosombo over the weekend, Mr. Tanoh said the persistent practices of misclassification and undervaluation of goods at the ports were undermining government revenue mobilisation and threatening the country’s economic transformation agenda.
“It is my fervent hope that the malfeasance and outright economic sabotage of those who abuse the customs transit regime and bonded warehouse system will be a thing of the past,” he stated, stressing that such acts deprive the state of much-needed revenue for critical social services such as health, education and housing.
Mr. Tanoh expressed optimism that the ongoing integration of Customs, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, and other regulatory agencies onto the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) real-time database would significantly reduce opportunities for abuse through the introduction of a one-stop-shop clearing regime.
He charged the leadership of the Customs House Agents Ghana to demonstrate courage and professional discipline by sanctioning or expelling members found culpable of engaging in fraudulent practices.
“An association like yours must have the courage to punish those who seek to destroy the Ghanaian economy in satisfaction of their greed and insatiable appetite for illicit gains,” he said.
Mr. Tanoh noted that such misconduct not only hurts honest investors and compliant businesses but also worsens unemployment and weakens public confidence in Ghana’s trade and logistics systems.
The outgoing President of ACHAG, Mr. Akwasi Serebour Boateng said the 24hour economy demands that Customs House Agents invest in staffing, adopt shift systems and build firms capable of delivering professional service excellence at any hour.
He decried the unlicensed practices of customs agency which he described as posing a serious threat to the profession, national revenue and unsuspecting importers.
“We will continue to work with the Customs division of GRA and all relevant authorities to ensure that this practice if firmly curtailed.
Mr. Serebour Boateng revealed that ACHAG members have benefited from structured training programmes covering key areas of the profession, including the African Continental Free Trade area to equip them with the knowledge to navigate the evolving continental trade landscape.
The Deputy Commissioner and Head of Suspense Regime at the Customs Division, Ama Birago Owusu Ansah, who represented the acting Commissioner of Customs commended customs house agents for their role in the 24hour economy and urged them to exhibit integrity in all their dealings.
There were Solidarity messages from the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Ghana Shippers Authority, Food and Drugs Authority and Ghana Standards Authority, who lauded the immense contribution of Customs House Agents to revenue mobilisation and trade facilitation.
The event brought together members of ACHAG across the country, key players in Ghana’s trade and logistics industry.
