The Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, has acknowledged the arduous responsibility placed on the Custom Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to sustain and continue to improve revenue generation in the country.

According to the Minister, CEPS as an institution is the lifeline of the Ghanaian economy and therefore must function to the expectation of government to justify their mandate service being rendered to the country.

Hon. Joseph Nelson was addressing staff and senior officers of CEPS in Takoradi, as part of his familiarisation tour being carried out to establish acquaintances with the various security commands in the Western Region.

He said he had an insight into the operations and general overview about the activities and operations of the command.

He commended the CEPS command for the services being rendered to the nation.

He said the critical role being played by the service drives the country's economy and ought to be enhanced.

"You are the lifeline of our economy" the Minister underscored.

On revenue mobilisation, Hon. Joseph Nelson urged the command to do more to improve revenue generation. “There is a big room for improvement" he noted.

He said the main purpose of his visit to the service command had been achieved once he had acquired the necessary information to guide his administration.

In terms of their operations in Takoradi, the Minister appealed to the command to widen the scope of their operations. "There is still a lot to be done. It takes the services and commitment to do more to raise revenue. We all must recommit ourselves to our mandate. Essentially, that is why we are all here” he added.

Hon. Joseph Nelson, said “Western Region itself will also see progress once there is an improvement in service delivery".

He said all challenges facing the country and precisely the Western Region cannot be addressed without revenue. "It’s all about revenue, it's all about funding” he noted.

Consequently, he appealed to the command to intensify their activities and raise the bar with revenue generation. "Let's begin to put in extra efforts".

He assured the command of his determination to engage authorities of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to collaborate with them to implement policies and programmes necessary to advance operations. "We will meet with port authorities" to address these challenges. Anything to enhance revenue collection, we will assist you".

The sector commander in charge of Western and Central, Assistant Commissioner Walter Blankson, who briefed the Minister about their operations and challenges revealed that following increasing surveillance and tactful operations, the command exceeded its target last year and hopes to do more.

According to him, instead of 1.381 billion Ghana cedis, the command recorded 1.437 billion Ghana cedis.

With staff strength of 118 and 120 operational assistants including NABCO interns, he said the command’s line of duty has been very functional.

He said the operational line starts from Mile 32, all the way to Winneba junction, making the command the Western and Central Regional wing.

In terms of port operations, the command, he explained has been working assiduously to make Takoradi attractive despite its current state of being an export-based port with goods coming in mainly being concessionary basis.

"We are trying to make Takoradi Port so attractive, and therefore we need your support".

The Takoradi port, he announced will be ready for incoming transit trade this year after experiencing the transit trade last year with minor challenges where dock workers had to be imported from Tema to assist the command.

He appealed to the Regional Minister to impress upon authorities of GPHA to construct more warehouses and sheds. "We need GPHA to get us designated Transit shells or warehouses for Transit trade".

He assured the Minister of their loyalty and commitment to him as the Chairman of Regional Security Council, REGSEC. "We pledge our unflinching support. We are solidly behind you".

Rtd. Brigadier General Musah Whajah, Western Region National Security Liason Officer and other senior officers of the Western Regional Coordinating Council accompanied the Minister.