By Jibril Abdul Mumuni
Accra, Aug. 29, GNA – The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has launched the 2026 Customs House Agent Proficiency Training Programme to equip clearing agents with the skills and knowledge required to support trade facilitation.
The programme brought together Customs House Agents and other key players in the trade and logistics sector to strengthen their understanding of customs procedures, trade regulations and modern border management practices.
Mr Aaron Kanor, the Commissioner of the Customs Division, said the training formed part of efforts to promote professionalism and improve efficiency within Ghana’s international trade environment.
He noted that Customs House Agents were a critical link between traders and Customs, noting that their knowledge, competence and integrity were essential to ensuring smooth customs operations.
Mr. Kanor said changes in global trade driven by technological advancements, evolving regulations and increasing security concerns required the agents to continuously upgrade their skills.
Participants received training in customs procedures, tariff classification, valuation, rules of origin, customs laws, ethics, trade facilitation and modern border management.
The programme, the commissioner said, helped to reduce errors in declarations, improve compliance levels and facilitate the faster clearance of legitimate goods through Ghana’s ports and border stations.
“Customs cannot achieve its objectives alone. We need strong collaboration with freight forwarders, importers, exporters, shipping lines, port operators and other stakeholders within the supply chain,” he said.
Mr. Kanor urged participants to uphold high ethical standards and conduct their activities with honesty, accountability and professionalism.
He reminded them that the Customs Division’s revenue target of GHS67.5 billion was a shared responsibility and called for support through accurate declarations and honest valuation of goods.
Mrs Comfort Boohene Osafo, former Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division, GRA, described the programme as timely, saying Customs House Agents needed to constantly update their knowledge and skills to remain effective in the changing trade environment.
Technology, globalisation and emerging security challenges were transforming customs administration worldwide and increasing the demand for skilled and knowledgeable practitioners, she noted.
The training, Mrs Osafo said, would provide participants with a deeper understanding of customs laws, procedures, international standards and best practices, while enhancing their capacity to deliver efficient services to the trading community.
She encouraged them to take full advantage of the programme by engaging actively with facilitators and sharing experiences with their colleagues.
“The lessons learned during this programme should not only advance your professional growth but also contribute to improving service delivery within the customs and trade sector,” she said.
Mrs. Osafo commended the Customs Division, course coordinators and stakeholders for their commitment to capacity building and expressed confidence that participants would complete the programme better prepared to support trade facilitation and national development.
A Customs House Agent, also known as a customs broker or clearing agent, assists importers and exporters to clear goods through customs and serves as an intermediary between traders and the Customs Division of the GRA.
The training programme comes at a time when digitalisation, changes in customs laws, evolving international trade standards and emerging security challenges are increasing the complexity of global trade and the need for continuous professional development among industry practitioners.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Jibril Abdul Mumuni