The Inspection and Control Services (ICS), on Monday initiated a two-week training course on: “Custom Tariff Nomenclature: Expanding the Knowledge Base,” as part of its contractual agreement with government in the transfer of technology.

The course attracted 34 participants from the Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Economic and Organised Crime office. It is meant to equip the personnel to be abreast of the best practices in the classification process.

Mr Samuel Ato Hagan, Deputy General Manager of ICS, in charge of Finance and Administration, said the course, is the first of a two tie two-week training. He said all imported goods into the country must be properly classified to ensure correct payment of duties and taxes.

“On the other hand, wrong classification of inputs will result in loss of revenue to the state. “Classification of goods is also very important for the application of computerised risk management systems, gathering of statistical information for economic planning as well as facilitating trade negotiation and enforcement of national and international laws,” he said.

Assistant Commissioner of Customs Division, in charge of Training, Millicent Akpo-Teye, noted that knowledge of goods is found in 89 per cent of nomenclature, which is an international document. She said since 1927 people had developed the interest of nomenclature, hence the need for a global approach to harmonise the attentiveness.

The Assistant Commissioner noted that former President John Agyekum Kufuor appended his signature to the convention, to indicate the value the country place on the agreement. The month- long course is being facilitated by Mr Aaron S. Ntwimah, a Tanzania based Nomenclature Trainer.

ICS, Ghana started operations in January 2003 and is part of the ICS Group, which comprises various firms with extensive e-government experience and international infrastructure.

The group assists governments in enhancing trade revenue while maintaining controls and facilitating trade. ICS was established in 1996 to provide governments with effective services designed to enhance customs and tax revenues.