The Commissioner of the Customs Division, Col Kwadwo Damoah (rtd) has tasked Customs officers to endeavor to block all lope hopes in the country's revenue mobilisation system. 

This he said would enable the country to accrue enough revenue to finance the government's social development projects, Agenda 111 among others-providing health facilities in all districts. 

He was speaking at the commissioning ceremony of 41 Senior Cadets to Assistant Revenue Officers at the Customs Academy in Kpetoe in the Agotime Ziope District of the Volta Region.

He announced that his outfit exceeded its 2020 revenue target with 1.6 billion Ghana Cedis despite the ravaging effects of the coronavirus pandemic. 

He expressed optimism the 18 billion Ghana Cedis 2021 target would be achieved, adding “we have also challenged ourselves with an additional 5billion”, he said. depending on the  

Col. Kwadwo (rtd) implored the graduates to contribute their quota to enhancing security at the country's borders and desist from engaging in activities that would damage their integrity. 

He detailed that the upsurge of smuggling of subsidized fertilizer and cocoa through the country’s eastern and western border is “harming our economy” as it denies the country of the needed farm inputs to enhance productivity and revenue. 

He further indicated that fertilizer could also be used as an improvised explosive device adding that “by making it possible for these unscrupulous persons to smuggle fertilizers, you run the risk of being killed first when they turn them into explosives and they are attacking our communities”. 

He, therefore, entreated officers at the land borders to heighten their surveillance and be extra vigilant to combat this cross-border crime to enable citizens to go about their duties in peace. 

Col Kwadwo advised the commissioned officers to endeavor to protect and enhance the “global reputation” of the Customs division, which performs the duties of providing security and generating revenue. 

“Don't under any circumstances, compromise your integrity and your professionalism”, he counseled.