Customs have capacity to support 24-hour port operations

Assistant Commissioner Theresa Potakey, the new Sector Commander of the Tema Collection, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), says Customs has enough men to support a 24-hour operation at the ports.

Assistant Commissioner Potakey, speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of a pull-out ceremony for her predecessor Assistant Commissioner Christiana Odi Adjei (Rtd.), said the Division has a 24-hour sector that feeds well into President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of a 24-hour economy.

She said, “We have a 24-hour policy, and I am glad that the president is hammering on it. I believe that apart from MPS, which provides 24-hour services, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and other freight stations will adopt that as we have the men to do our work to support that.”
She noted the Tema sector collects over 80.5 percent of customs revenue and that whenever Tema fails, the whole of customs is in trouble, pledging that as the new sector commander, she would ensure that they exceed their target.
In 2024, the Tema collection exceeded its target of GHS33,925,850,000, collecting GHS36,857,370,000 at the end of the year.

Assistant Commissioner Potakey said she would also attend to officers’ welfare and make sure that all issues with the command’s stakeholders were resolved to ensure that the command exceeds its revenue collection target by the end of the year.
“We liaise with our stakeholders; I will intensify that and operate an open-door policy, ensuring that their issues are met. We know how to ensure that consignments are released without any delays. We have a backup always to ensure smooth service,” she said.

Meanwhile, the immediate past sector commander, Assistant Commissioner Christiana Odi Adjei (Rtd.), has expressed belief in her successor, noting that she is very capable of exceeding the set target.
“I know what she can do and what she is capable of, so she is going to carry the mandate and make it roll even more, and even when she retires, I know that we have coached and mentored other people who can take up the mandate,” she stated.

Source: GNA