Takoradi, Jan. 26, GNA - Major General Carl Modey, Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, on Wednesday called for more innovative ways of clearing people's goods from the country's ports and harbours instead of auctioning them.

"People's toil outside our soil should not just go down the drain just because of rigid clearing procedures which often did not help the public," he said.

Maj-Gen Modey said this at the opening of the national celebration of this year's International Customs Day in Takoradi in the Western Region.

The day, under the theme: "Knowledge, A catalyst for Customs Excellence," was to raise awareness on the need for professionals within the service to upgrade themselves to meet current challenges in the tax and revenue mobilization sector of the economy.

Maj-Gen Modey, on the other hand, added that to strengthen internal discipline and integrity, the Internal Affairs Unit now known as Conduct, Intelligence and Complainant Unit would serve as a policing force to ensure best practices among professionals.

The Division, he said, was able to meet its target and therefore lauded the vigilance of some servicemen whose hard work saved the country from unscrupulous individuals.

Mr Emmanuel Kwesie, Chairman of the Ghana Revenue Authority Board, said in a changing business environment, there was the need for servicemen to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of modern trade practices and its associated risks.

"I am therefore happy to note that the World Customs Organization is leading the way in encouraging officers to learn and become knowledgeable in their chosen vocation".

Mr Kwesie said; "Through learning and knowledge building we can create a pool of appropriately trained and highly skilled staff in areas that will improve our performance".

Ms Yaa Kesewaa Amponsah, Assistant Commissioner, Takoradi, said given the complexities in today's business environment and the enormous operational challenges knowledge acquisition was necessary to meet the needs of the global market.

She said; "We need to re-assert ourselves in the performance of our assigned responsibilities professionally, ethically and efficiently.

"Today, most countries are striving to develop knowledge-based and driven economies and this is why we place training as the cutting edge of our reforms,"

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26 Jan. 11