The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority says it has developed a new communications strategy that seeks to bridge the gap between the division and the public especially the trading community.

According to Dzinunya Mawuli, a Communications and Public Affairs Officer of the Tema Sector of the Customs Division of GRA, 2019 and beyond, has been dedicated to intensive education of the public on current customs regimes, since customs procedures keep changing with time.

Also, the education seeks to isolate customs processes from other agencies operating at the port.

“We want to distinguish customs processes and procedures from other institutions at the port. Many are the times when Tema port is mentioned the only people they know is Customs.”

She said her outfit is deploying the use of TV, print and online to disseminate useful information on customs processes.

“The strategy we have this year is to do a media campaign. We want to use EYE ON PORT and other media, the print, the electronic, online platform as well as the Ghana Revenue Authority website to educate people,” she revealed.

She said, the goal of the intensive sensitization program is to ensure port users which include importers and exporters of goods are compliant with customs regulations.

“We believe that when people understand our processes, when people know why we are at the port, when people know why we collect the taxes we are collecting, people will be compliant and when people are compliant, we believe revenue collection will be very easy for us. And by so doing we can collect more for nation building,” she added.

She appealed to the trading public to be engaged in customs processes in order not fall foul of the law, or be cheated despite the existence of freight forwarders or clearing agents who help clear the goods for importers.

“I want to appeal to the stakeholders especially the trading community. They should take interest in what they are doing. Even if you have people who clear your goods for you, try to know what goes on because there are times that people pay for their goods to be cleared and they end up not seeing their goods nor their money,” she advised.