Ho CEPS to collect 6.4 trillion cedis as revenue target

Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) is to collect 6.4 trillion cedis as revenue this year, Mr Samuel Afari-Aikins, acting Assistant Commissioner of CEPS for Ho sector said on Saturday.

Addressing members of the senior staff association after the annual national endurance walk said the figure represents 150 percent of the 4.7 trillion cedis collected last year.

He said the sterling qualities exhibited in the 2002 annual revenue target could not have been achieved if the personnel were unhealthy.

The walk was under the theme, "A Healthy Senior Officer-an Efficient Supervisor" and was aimed at promoting fitness and discipline among senior Officers in a spirit of friendship and co-operation.

Mr Afari-Aikins said an expanded health-care, which has been formulated into a general welfare package, is currently before the CEPS Board for approval.

He said the success of the Service, therefore, hinges on the health of the personnel and was optimistic that regular exercises would be sustained and not limited to the annual sports festivals and endurance walk alone.

He said the human body reaches its peak performance at age 35 before beginning its downward decline and advised the personnel against attitudes, which would inhibit the development of their health.

Mr Afari-Aikins commended officers and men of the other security and revenue services in Ho for their solidarity during the exercise.

Mr Christopher Laweh, Chairman of the national senior staff association said the walk would remain in the CEPS calendar because of its health value to the personnel.

He regretted that the Minister of Finance did not commend the staff of the service during his budget statement to parliament, saying this has somehow affected morale.

Winners were presented with prizes ranging from ghetto blasters, burners, wristwatches, wax prints and certificates.

Forty-two others also received consolation prizes.