The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, Her Excellency Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has charged newly commissioned officer cadets of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to uphold discipline, integrity, and professionalism in the discharge of their duties to help strengthen Ghana’s economic resilience and development.

Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer at the graduation ceremony of Customs Officer Cadets on Friday in the Volta Region, on behalf of the Vice President, Mr Alex Segbefia, described the event as both a celebration of their endurance through nine months of rigorous training and the beginning of a lifelong commitment to national service.

“You are not just tax collectors,” she told the graduates, “you are ambassadors of Ghana.

Your interactions with traders and travelers shape perceptions of our nation. Every cedi properly assessed and collected helps build schools, supply hospitals, and invest in infrastructure.”

In a speech focused heavily on the nation’s economic future, Opoku-Agyemang underscored the urgent need to strengthen domestic revenue mobilization amid declining international financing options.

She announced a series of measures the government is undertaking to enhance revenue collection and reduce reliance on external funding.

These include:

A review of the tax exemption regime to promote transparency and job creation.

Rationalization of port fees to boost trade competitiveness.

Restructuring of the GRA to improve compliance and administration.

Enactment of a Natural Resources Revenue Management Act to better harness earnings from mineral wealth.

Review of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act to optimize oil revenue.

Harmonization of tax regimes for equity and efficiency.

“Self-reliance is no longer an ambition, but an imperative,” she emphasized, adding that Ghana’s prosperity must be built primarily through the country’s own efforts and resources.

Opoku-Agyemang acknowledged that the Customs Division remains understaffed, with only 2,635 officers currently serving against an established need of 5,329.

She expressed joy at the boost the new cadets bring to the workforce and assured the government’s commitment to improving staff conditions and providing necessary resources to enhance operational efficiency.

She urged the cadets to remain vigilant against smuggling and corruption, warning of the far-reaching effects of unethical behavior.

“When you are tempted to look the other way, remember the patient without medicine, the child learning under a tree, and the village without roads. Your honesty and diligence are vital to national development,” she said.

Highlighting the comprehensive training received by the officer cadets, including customs procedures, leadership, weapon handling, and the use of Ghana’s Integrated Customs Management System, the Vice President expressed hope that the graduating class would be the generation to transform the Customs Division into a model of excellence across the continent.

“For the first time, defensive driving was also introduced into your training,” she revealed, adding that all cadets will be certified in this new skill to enhance safety and operational efficiency.

She congratulated the best-performing cadets, commending their exceptional dedication, and officially declared the officers as graduates of the Customs Division.

“May your service bring honour to yourselves, pride to the Ghana Revenue Authority, and prosperity to Ghana,” she concluded.