Foreigners invade brokerage business

The Joint Consultative Committee of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has expressed worry over the influx of foreigners into the brokerage business at the country’s entry points.

The Committee, therefore, called for a review of the brokers’ law to enable the GRA to apply sanctions when necessary.

A Ghana News Agency report said the members made the call at the inauguration of Western Region’s Joint Consultative Committee which is mandated by the World’s Customs Organisations to provide efficient and excellent service delivery.

Mr Robert Nana Mensah, the acting Assistant Commissioner at the Public Relations and Communications Department of the Customs Division of the GRA, said the Joint Consultative Committee would encourage consensus building among its 30 stakeholders.

Mr Wallace Akondor, acting Commissioner, Customs Division of GRA, said the committee would also ensure smooth trade facilitation and investment and called for attitudinal change among operators in the industry particularly custom officers towards clients.

Mr Akondor said importers were partners in development of the country, as they bring in lots of foreign exchange and appealed to officers to treat importers with courtesy and decorum.

On the alleged corruption in the sector, he said a survey was being conducted to ascertain the authenticity of that claim and appealed to officers to work with all honesty.

Mr Akondor said the country’s various entry points were to come out with Ebola emergency preparedness plans.