By Wisdom JONNY-NUEKPE
The Customs Division of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA-Customs) has certified nine local and multinational organisations as compliant with the World Customs Organisation’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status.
The AEO is a programme under the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards guidance to secure and facilitate global trade.
An AEO, according to Ghana’s Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891), Section 151, is an internationally certified person or business whose role in the international supply chain is secure and in compliance with Customs controls and other procedures.
The status is a designation given to companies in Ghana that have demonstrated compliance with Customs and supply chain security standards.
At a ceremony to present certification to the nine companies, Commissioner of Customs Brigadier-General Zibrim Bawa Ayorrogo explained that the AEO certification enables businesses to enjoy faster processing for Customs clearance, prior notification of routine controls, consignments’ priority treatment if selected for control among others.
Other benefits, he mentioned, include waiver and reduction of financial guarantee in case of trans-shipment, transit or movement of goods; faster disbursal of drawback amount; and faster processing of refunds and adjudications, etc.
Convenience for business
Brigadier-General Ayorrogo emphasised that Customs all over the world are embracing convenience and sustainability – and this is also critical for GRA-Customs.
“Once companies get certified through the AEO and give enough information about their organisation, it eases trade facilitation by way of faster clearance. The AEO concept boosts revenue mobilisation and gives certainty in terms of revenue mobilisation,” he said.
He added: “When you have 100 companies that are AEO-certified, revenue from these companies is certain. The future of Customs is more sustainable with the concept of AEO”.
AEO in the sub-region
Aside from Ghana, in West Africa Ivory Coast is the only country that adheres to the standard, having about five compliant companies.
However, in East Africa the AEO concept is a major standard that Customs comply with: Kenya has about 130 companies complying, Rwanda (48), Burundi (18), Angola (8) and Mauritius (3).
This, according to Brigadier Ayorrogo, illustrates the need and urgency to encourage more companies and businesses in Ghana to apply and adhere to the standard.
AEO Programmes Manager and Deputy Commissioner-Mining Operations, Bismark Kissi, said by January next year the target is to have an additional six companies with AEO status, making 15 companies.
“We are encouraging other companies to come onboard and enjoy these conveniences in order to deepen and ensure smooth trade facilitation within GRA-Customs.
The compliant companies
The nine companies complying with the Customs AEO standardisation include Meridian Port Services, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Printex Ghana, Aquafresh Ltd., Guiness Ghana Breweries, KEDA Ceramics, Mantrac Ghana Ltd., Nestle Ghana Ltd. and Imexco Ghana Ltd.
