The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has entered into a partnership with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom to strengthen border security, improve customs operations and enhance domestic revenue mobilisation.
The partnership, formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will create opportunities for Ghana and the UK to share expertise, information and best practices in border protection and revenue administration.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, said the agreement marked the beginning of a renewed relationship between Ghana and the UK in the area of border protection.
He said the collaboration would help improve compliance, protect government revenue and strengthen the operations of the Customs Division.
“It will help to strengthen compliance and protect government revenue as well as support customs activities,” Mr Sarpong said.
He explained that the agreement would facilitate technical assistance and the exchange of information, particularly in border protection and post-clearance audits.
The Commissioner-General added that the partnership would also serve as a mutual learning platform for both countries and could eventually be extended to other countries with which the GRA has existing collaborations.
“This is a new partnership to provide opportunity for technical assistance and exchange of information on border protection and post clearance audit between the two countries,” he said.
Commissioner for Customs, Aaron Kanor, said the partnership would provide a significant boost to ongoing reforms within the Customs Division of the GRA.
He said the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise would help strengthen the division’s capacity to improve its operations and revenue collection.
Development Director at the British High Commission in Ghana, Terri Sarch, said Ghana and the UK shared several interests and expressed optimism that the partnership would further deepen relations between the two countries.
She said the agreement had the potential to support cross-border trade and contribute to efforts to improve intra-African trade.
The partnership is expected to enhance cooperation between the two revenue authorities while strengthening Ghana’s ability to secure its borders, facilitate legitimate trade and protect government revenue.
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