We are not in league with armed robbers - GRA

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has vehemently rebutted allegations doing the rounds on social media that its officials of the Customs Division have been leaking information to criminals for robbery activities.

According to the GRA, its personnel conduct their activities with the professionalism and do not divulge information on passengers on board aircrafts to robbers that eventually raid the homes of affected persons, said an advertorial signed by no mean a person than the Commissioner-General of GRA, Mr George Blankson.

In a three-paragraph, but strongly worded statement, the GRA states that it has noted with regret an audio clip that is currently circulating on 'Whatsapp' and maliciously peddling the falsehood in issue. Consequently, it calls on the public to “dismiss and disregard” that information with contempt.

It assures the public and foreign travelers that information gathered on the Customs Declaration Forms are treated as confidential and “would not in any way divulge such information to persons outside the Authority.”

The GRA assures their clientele of “utmost security and confidentiality in all information gathered at entry points of Ghana.”

Find below the unedited text of the announcement for your perusal; it is headed “CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION GIVEN TO CUSTOMS DIVISION.”

“The Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has noted with regret an audio clip by an un-named individual that purported that information gathered by the Customs Division of the Authority from passengers on board aircrafts is passed on to criminals that eventually raid the houses of affected persons.

“We dismiss the allegations made, and assure the public and foreign travelers that information gathered on the Customs Declaration Forms are held confidential. It is worthy to note that officers are professional in conduct and would not in any way divulge such information to persons outside the Authority.

“The GRA wishes to assure the public including passengers of utmost security and confidentiality in all information gathered at the entry points. GRA hereby advises the public to dismiss and disregard the allegations made in the said audio clip that is currently circulating on the social media 'Whatsapp'.”