By Jesse Ampah Owusu, GNA
Accra, Aug. 19, GNA – Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, the Deputy Minister of the Interior, has called for strict compliance with standards on the importation, retrofitting, and decommissioning of Armoured Bullion Vehicles (ABVs) in Ghana.
That, he said, was necessary to ensure effective regulation of ABVs to enhance public safety and strengthen national security.
Mr Terlabi made these remarks at a sensitisation workshop organised for officers of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in Accra.
The event focused on the guidelines and standards for the Importation, Retrofitting, Usage and Decommissioning of Armoured Bullion Vehicles in Ghana.
It formed part of efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight of ABVs and ensure effective implementation of standards governing their importation, retrofitting, use and decommissioning.
Mr Terlabi urged the officers to ensure proper declaration, classification, valuation, and physical inspection of ABVs at entry ports.
He stressed that they played a critical role to ensuring ABVs and their related security equipment entering the country met all legal standards and procedures.
“Compliance does not end at the point of importation and clearance but should include the entire lifecycle of the ABVs, including retrofitting, operation and eventual decommissioning,” he added.
Mr Terlabi called for enhanced collaboration between Customs, the Ghana Police Service, and the Bank of Ghana regarding technical and roadworthiness standards.
Mr Alphonse Qauinoo, the Deputy Commissioner for Post Clearance Audit at GRA’s Customs Division, said ensuring effective implementation of the guidelines and standards required collaboration among all relevant stakeholders.
He said they could not operate in isolation when dealing with issues involving technical standards, security, vehicle certification and roadworthiness.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe