The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has assured customs officers of the government’s commitment to empower them through policy reforms, capacity-building, digitisation and increased investment in modern technology and infrastructure.
“We want to encourage you to support this initiative and ensure it works.
We are determined that nobody stands in the way of deploying this important tool, which will help us get the right revenue for the state.”
“Our goal is to build a Customs Administration that is efficient, professional and responsive to the needs of both the state and trading community, while ensuring a secure and safe environment for all stakeholders,” he added.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, at the 2026 International Customs Day celebration in Accra yesterday, Dr Forson announced that a new artificial intelligence tool would be deployed from next month to support customs officers in decision-making and revenue mobilisation.
The minister urged the officers to intensify efforts to achieve this year’s revenue targets.
“The contribution of customs to the overall target of the Ghana Revenue Authority is very significant,” he said, adding that they should recommit themselves to integrity, patriotism and professionalism to eradicate corruption and fraud within the system.
“Every cedi lost represents a missed opportunity for national development. Revenue lost through corruption translates into unbuilt schools, unpaved roads and lives affected by inadequate health care, unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation,” Dr Forson said.
Event
The International Customs Day 2026 was held on the theme: “Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment”.
Instituted by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), it is held annually on January 26 to recognise the role of customs officials and agencies in maintaining border security.
It also focuses on the working conditions and challenges that customs officers face in their jobs.
The event was also used to award officers who were nominated for the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Certificate of Merit category.
Vigilance
Dr Forson further urged customs officers across the country to uphold the highest ethical standards, root out unethical behaviour at all levels and exemplify transparency, accountability and service to the nation.
He stressed that vigilance, professionalism and dedication were no longer optional but essential in today’s trade and security environment.
“In an era of increasing global trade and complex security threats, the work of customs goes beyond revenue collection,” he said
Revenue
The Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan, disclosed that the customs division mobilised GH¢56 billion in revenue last year, adding that despite constraints, officers demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to achieving the target.
He encouraged officers to raise the bar and surpass their previous performances to further strengthen national development.
Brig. Gen. Annan commended the division’s adaptation to new security systems, describing it as evidence of a forward-looking institution capable of protecting national interests in an increasingly complex global trade environment.
He congratulated awardees on their dedication to revenue mobilisation and the protection of society.
The WCO Secretary-General, Ian Saunders, called on customs administrations across the world to strengthen public understanding of their critical role in protecting society.
“The strength of our vigilance comes from using all the tools at our disposal. Our shared narrative must convey that customs actions do more than disrupt criminal operations,” Mr Saunders added.
Some achievements
The Chief Revenue Officer of the Task Force Laboratory, Customs Division, Prince Wiafe, said the service had undertaken several operations, including high-profile seizures of narcotics and arms at the ports of Takoradi and Tema, made possible through scanners, K9 units, and close collaboration with agencies.
He said recent operations at an airport also led to the seizure of undeclared high-value jewellery and the detention of aircraft over documentation discrepancies.
Mr Wiafe added that intelligence sharing with international partners, including Guinea-Bissau, was instrumental in disrupting drug trafficking networks linked to aircraft movements.
The Chief Revenue Officer, however, said that despite the achievements, the service continued to face persistent challenges such as limited logistics, personnel shortages, specialised training, and gaps in inter-agency collaboration.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh