In a citation read in recognition of the award, the Authority was commended for its professional approach in the discharge of its mandate and its “unwavering support for National and Sub-Regional policy initiatives implemented by GRA-Customs”
“Of particular note is your willingness to champion the nationwide shipper sensitization on the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (2016) and Ghana’s Paperless Port Project (2017)”, the citation furthered stated.
The award was given in commemoration of the 2018 International Customs Day held in Accra which was celebrated under the theme “A Secure Business Environment for Economic Development”.
In a presentation at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the GSA, Ms Benonita Bismarck, noted that the key ingredients for a congenial industry environment are the certainty and predictability of charges/fees and service standards; availability of appropriate infrastructure, information, technology and logistics solutions.
She assured stakeholders that her outfit is committed to creating a predictable business environment in the shipping industry through the negotiation of charges with shipping service providers on behalf of shippers among other interventions.
Ms Bismarck called for an improvement in inter-agency consultations on matters affecting the industry, commitment by all stakeholders to maintain a congenial environment in the industry and the putting in place of appropriate policies required to sanitise the industry.
This year’s International Customs Day commemoration was graced by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Hon. Kwaku Kwarteng; Commissioner General of GRA, Mr Emmanuel Kofi Nti; Director General of Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Mr Paul Asare Ansah; and other dignitaries and stakeholder representatives.