The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority says it’s on course to achieving its 2021 revenue target of about ¢17 billion.

Despite the impact of Covid-19 on trade in 2020, Customs exceeded its revised target of about ¢10 billion, by more than ¢1.6 billion.

Although the year-to-date collection is behind the 2021 third quarter collections by about 7%, Commissioner of Customs, Colonel Kwadwo Damoah (rtd) believes the last quarter collection can make it up. 

Addressing the media after visiting various Customs offices at the Tema port, he said “we experienced two major challenges in 2020 being Covid-19 and introduction of a new clearance system - the Integrated Customs Management System- leading to revision of initial target of about ¢13 billion to about GH¢ 10 billion,” he said.

He indicated that the Tema port is really important as it generates about 80% of the total Customs collection.

“From January to September, 2021, Tema’s collection was behind by about 5.8% or ¢580 million. If we manage to collect ¢1.3 billion each month for the next three months, we will certainly exceed our target, he assured.

Meanwhile, Sector Commander of Tema Collection, Assistant Commissioner Julius Kantum is hopeful with efficiency, vigilance, effectiveness and supervision, his outfit can achieve the 2021 target.