About 20 customs officers stationed at the Tema Port have been put in immediate transfer out of the port after the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta stormed the place to assess operations.
Mr. Ofori Atta, leading a powerful government delegation discovered the continued under performance of the affected officers.
The action forms part of efforts by the Ministry to ensure efficiency at the port.
Massive revenue leakages, consignment under-declaration, container diversion, among other corrupt practices impede smooth operations at the ports and affected revenue mobilization.
In 2017, government introduced the paperless system among other digital services to tackle the menace and improve operations at the ports.
Some top figures at the Ghana Revenue Authority including the Customs’ Commissioner were reassigned to the Ministry of Finance as part of the restructuring.
On Thursday (July 11) a government delegation led by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta and the Minister for Transport Kweku Asiamah paid an unannounced visit to the Tema port to check their operations.
The delegation after assessing performance of some customs officers, authorized the instant transfer of about 20 of them.
The delegation explained that, the action is to ensure officers stationed at the port are determined and ready to contribute to enhancing operations at the seaport.
Mr. Ofori-Attah said such actions are necessary to sanitize the port and to help meet the 17-billion-cedi revenue target set for the Customs Division.
