The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is focusing on strengthening the human and institutional capacity of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) ‘s Customs Division through an intensive seminar on trade facilitation.
Held recently in Takoradi in the Western Region of Ghana, this third phase of collaboration highlights the importance of customs officers’ competence for the effectiveness of free trade agreements. About 55 participants attended the training.
The program underscores JICA’s commitment to sustainable capacity development based on local ownership. Thanks to its collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO), Ghana now has four accredited Master Trainers, capable of delivering high-quality, practice-oriented training and cascading knowledge within the institution.
Two of these Master Trainers, Mr. Aziz Saaka and Mr. Godfred Dzisaah, actively contributed to this seminar, illustrating JICA’s strategy for knowledge transfer.
Ms Susuki Momoko, Chief Representative of JICA Ghana Office, emphasised: “The true strength of trade facilitation lies in the hands of competent and professional customs officers. Through our Master Trainers Program, we are not just providing training; we are cultivating a sustainable ecosystem of local expertise. Our Ghanaian Master Trainers, like Mr Saaka and Mr Dzisaah, are perfect examples of this local ownership, ensuring that the knowledge gained today will continue to benefit Ghana’s customs administration for years to come, thereby unlocking the full potential of the AfCFTA.”
Information from JICA, sourced through its Public Relations Advisor, Mr. John Kojo Williams, revealed that the seminar addressed practical issues such as strategic trade control enforcement, ensuring that customs officers were equipped to apply rules transparently.
This holistic approach to capacity building is crucial for Ghana to fully benefit from the AfCFTA and other regional trade initiatives.
“Customs administrations are the primary gatekeepers of the AfCFTA. Investing in their capacity is not just a technical matter, it is a strategic priority for the AfCFTA Secretariat and for the future of our continent, ensuring that the engine of Africa’s economic transformation can run effectively,” Mr. Chawki Jaballi, Head of Customs Capacity Building and Training Division, AfCFTA Secretariat said.
JICA is an official arm of the Japanese government and one of the world’s largest bilateral aid agencies, promoting international cooperation to foster a prosperous world and operating under the philosophy “Leading the world with trust,” focusing on “Inclusive and Dynamic Development” to resolve global issues.
