The Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Colonel Kwadwo Damoah (rtd) has reminded customs officers that although the law permitted them to use fire-arms in their duties, it also held them swiftly accountable for the misuse of the weapons.
“Your duty as security operatives is to protect the citizens and your fellow human beings and so when there is the temptation to use your weapons, you must assess the situation critically and act professionally,” he said.
Colonel Damoah was speaking at the passing out parade of 201 junior cadets of the Customs Academy at Kpetoe in the Volta Region on Friday.
He insisted that customs officers were expected to use their weapons for defensive purposes and not in an offensive manner.
The Commissioner of Customs urged them to use modern technology and skills acquired during their training to contribute to raising revenue for the nation and dedicate themselves to projecting the good image of the GRA.
Colonel Damoah warned that any unruly customs officer whose conduct dragged the image of the GRA in the mud would suffer the appropriate sanctions without delay and compromise.
He entreated the fresh customs officers to readily accept postings to ‘deprived’ areas and serve patriotically at their duty posts and leave sterling legacies behind before moving to other duty posts.
“Wherever you are posted, the location should help to mould your career,” the Commissioner of Customs added.
He also urged the fresh customs officers to take a firm stance to demonstrate their professionalism in securing the countries frontiers, and also ensuring that the nation was not denied its revenue by cross-border criminals.
Junior Cadet Moses Nsobila Adabre emerged the overall best trainee, while Junior Cadet Rebecca Kotei was adjudged the best female trainee
FROM ALBERTO MARIO NORETTI, KPETOE
