The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), in its resolve to deal firmly and uncompromisingly with offenders by placing sanctions on them to serve as a deterrent to others, has interdicted eleven (11) officers of the Customs Division captured in Anas’ latest video which exposed massive corruption and rot at the Tema Port.
Below is the full statement by the Ghana Revenue Authority.
PRESS RELEASE
ELEVEN OFFICERS INTERDICTED OVER ANAS’ TAPE
GRA Management is unshakable in its resolve to carry out the three (3) key responsibilities it sees for itself in respect of the Anas tapes:
· First and foremost, to deal firmly and uncompromisingly with those that are found culpable by sanctioning them as a deterrent to others that may come under temptation to collude with importers to deny the state of legitimate tax revenue.
* Secondly to retrieve revenue lost on account of the corrupt and unprofessional practices shown in the tapes.
· Finally to encourage and sustain the morale of the many customs officers who do their work professionally and have resisted the enticement of corruption. To such officers being painted with a broad brush could be demoralizing but we wish to assure them that Management recognizes their contribution.
Careful to follow due Process
In taking disciplinary action and bringing to justice those that are found to be culpable, we are careful to ensure that we follow due process to avoid our verdicts being overturned by decisions of the courts on account of flawed procedures.
Query and Interdiction:
We have gone through the process of issuing queries to each of the eleven officers identified in the tapes. Following the receipt and review of the responses, interdiction letters have been issued today.
Committee of Inquiry:
A committee of Inquiry has been set up in accordance with Conditions of Service to carry out full but speedy investigation and bring up findings and recommendations for disciplinary action.
In the past we have had so many cases where Custom officers dismissed by Management had to be re-instated on the orders of the Courts just because the process and procedures by which the dismissals had been carried out were found to be flawed. The pressure of public opinion can make it difficult to resist short-cuts, but we are determined to make haste with care in order to deliver enduring results.
Recovery of Revenue:
A technical team led by the Deputy Commissioner (Operations) of the Customs Division has made much progress in verifying some of the cases of evasion of taxes by the companies reported in the tapes that were set up to scan the GCNet system to identify cases of evasion.
Demand notices (demanding payment) have been issued to a number of importers who have been confirmed from the system as having evaded taxes and duties.
ISSUED BY:
GEORGE BLANKSON
COMMISSIONER-GENERAL
(GHANA REVENUE AUTHORITY)