Challenges In CEPS! The Way Forward

As part of my reflection on the nation during its 50th anniversary celebrations in the country, I realized CEPS must be given a hand shake for the innovative way it has handled the affairs at its borders and other security areas under their jurisdiction. Quite frankly, many accepts the conviction that a lot can be derived or harnessed from the daily activities of the sector to revenue generation to beef up the ever growing demand on conditions of services in the country.

In recent times, CEPS has embarked on numerous training exercises to ensure that disciplinary level in the area of its operation is always heeded to. Programmes such as workshops are sometimes organized for senior officers to sharpen their technical, managerial and supervisory skills. It’s social responsibility recently was extended to Ghana Heart Foundation and the 37 military Hospital to support the treatment of patients.

“Out of the package, the Ghana Heart Foundation received ¢50 million while the 37 military Hospital had ¢20 million in addition to a set computers and their accessories, for its Nursing Training School”. Daily Graphic Saturday, March 24th, 2007.

However, some workers of the Customs Excise and Preventive Service are still embarking on their attitude of using the office has their looting ground that is, involving themselves in bribery and corruption when everyone is preaching about honesty, commitment to diligence, decency good morals as well as pursuing work ethics. The attitude of these CEPS officers is actually an issue which needs to be addressed by its management and the entire staff.

From my investigation, I am in the know that the government has taken bold steps to reverse the situation in which few officers try to denigrate the hard won reputation achieved by most of its staff. Many have since echoed about the initiative of stiffer punishment to be embarked upon by management.

The rate at which both junior and senior staff are meddling in the corrupt practices of our Ports, Airport, Borders and many other places. To the extent that, they live lavishly beyond their normal allowances, fleet of cars they acquire within the shortest possible time after their recruitment need to be properly looked at. I personally want to advocate for an investigation into opulent lifestyles by some of the CEPS officers. Let’s we should not forget that these are the very people we assigned them to take care of an aspect of our security but what is happening?

We need to remind ourselves that inspite of the huge revenue realized by CEPS in recent times, my main suggestion to the CEPS Commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Doku, is to forge ahead if he really wants to make an impact towards the development in the country. I believe the government is doing a lot but a lot more needs to be done to curb the menace.

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