A dignified pull-out ceremony has been held at the Customs Headquarters in Accra, to honour the outgoing Commissioner of Customs, Alhaji Iddrisu Iddisah Seidu.

The event was attended by stakeholders in the port and shipping industry and other security services.

Alhaji Iddrisu Iddisah Seidu, who served over 3 decades in Customs, was lauded for his exemplary leadership, dedication, and commitment to the service. Under his stewardship, the Customs division of GRA witnessed significant reforms, resulting in improved efficiency, transparency, and revenue generation.

Alhaji Seidu expressed his gratitude to his colleagues and staff for their unwavering support throughout his tenure. He attributed the milestones achieved during his tenure to teamwork and collaboration.

“Together we have modernized our Custom procedures, leveraging on technology, to enhance transparency and streamline operations from the purely manual process to the ASYCUDA, GCNET, and now the ICUMS. Recently, we carried out the Time Release Study to identify obstacles not only in Customs but all our stakeholders to see how we can make sure that these obstacles are bridged to facilitate the easy clearance of goods from the ports and at the same to ensure an enhanced compliance and enforced strategy,” he said.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner-General of Customs, Ms. Julie Essiam praised Alhaji Seidu's visionary leadership and his contributions to the growth and development of the Customs department. She expressed confidence that his legacy would inspire future generations of customs officers.

“Commissioner Seidu has served our country with unwavering commitment and integrity, rising through the ranks to become a beacon of excellence within the Customs division. Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated resilience, professionalism, and exceptional leadership. He has been a mentor, even to me, a coach, a brother to me and everyone else in GRA, a friend, and much more to all of us that you see here today,” she said.

The incoming Commissioner of Customs, Zeblim Bawah Ayorrogo emphasized his commitment to uphold the highest standard of professionalism as he takes over.

“I want emphasize my unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standard of professionalism, transparency, and accountability. Customs enforcement is a critical component of our national security infrastructure and it is imperative that we carry out this duty with diligence and integrity,” he averred.

The Deputy Finance Minister, Honourable Stephen Amoah praised the outgoing Commissioner for being a steadfast guardian of Ghana's borders and fiscal interests.

“Under his directions, our Customs operations modernized through innovative technologies and optimized processes. These advancements not only bolstered our security apparatus against threats like terrorism, trafficking, and intellectual property crimes but also played a pivotal role in facilitating legitimate trade, travel, and economic growth,” he noted.