As part of efforts to sensitise and update stakeholders on processes they go through to clear their goods at the various ports in the country, the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, has organized an open forum for various agencies.

Some of the issues discussed included updates on the Ghana National Single Window, state warehouse processes, the courier regime, valuation of used vehicles and sanctions under Act 891.

Importers and their agents were charged to desist from flouting the rules that government the clearance of goods in order to avert their goods from being sent to the state warehouse.

Chief Revenue Officer, Fredrick Ahenkorah disclosed that the Ghana Revenue Authority has set up a prosecution department to prosecute all tax offenders, hence, the need for stakeholders to honor their tax obligations.

“In some of the infractions you can go to jail, and let me use the opportunity to tell you that GRA has now established a prosecution unit and it is prepared to start prosecuting tax offenders,” he said.

Touching on the courier regime, West Blue liaison for Customs, disclosed that the current courier regime has been made electronic to facilitate the processes of doing business in the country.

Dr. Quartey-Papapio, Chief Collector, Customs division of GRA expressed optimism that the open forum would increase the compliance level of importers and exporters.

“We are not achieving total compliance because of lack of education and the knowledge that people have to have acquired prior to getting involved with the customs and it basically for that reason that we have organized this tax seminar so that at least people will be better informed. When people are better informed, then they can be ready to comply,” he said.