Chief Revenue Officer of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Jonathan Dabrah, has recognized that although Customs plays a key role in enforcing trade regulations, its success heavily relies on close cooperation with private sector stakeholders.

Speaking on the Eye on Port television program, Dabrah stressed the importance of Customs in facilitating trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He urged for enhanced collaboration between the Customs Division, Customs House Brokers, and the private sector to ensure the seamless application of the rules of origin under the agreement.

"The success of AfCFTA lies in collective efforts. We can’t achieve much if Customs works in isolation. It’s crucial that brokers, traders, and manufacturers all align with the standards and expectations under the agreement," Mr. Dabrah stressed.

He called on all stakeholders to strengthen their engagement with Customs, highlighting the ongoing capacity-building initiatives aimed at equipping brokers and other key players with the necessary skills to adhere to the new trade protocols.

The conversation focused on the Rules of Origin, a critical component of AfCFTA, which determines the economic nationality of goods, ensuring that only eligible products benefit from preferential tariff rates.

CRO Dabrah explained that the rules of origin are designed to distinguish products genuinely produced within AfCFTA member countries, preventing those from non-member states from wrongfully claiming these benefits. He elaborated on the concept of "substantial transformation," which requires raw materials to undergo significant processing before being classified as originating from a particular country. Key factors like changes in tariff classification, value addition, and specific manufacturing processes are used to assess origin. As an example, Dabrah referenced Ghanaian cocoa being processed into chocolate to meet origin criteria.

He stressed the importance of customs brokers fully understanding these rules, as they serve as a crucial link between Customs and the business community. To support this, the Customs Division has ramped up training efforts, ensuring that brokers are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of the rules of origin.

Dabrah also mentioned the upcoming establishment of an AfCFTA Academy by the AfCFTA Secretariat, which will empower customs brokers and trade professionals across Africa. In Ghana, Customs officers have already received advanced training on the rules of origin to ensure compliance with AfCFTA requirements. This, he noted, will help prevent documentation errors and speed up processing at the country’s ports and border points.

Additionally, he pointed to the creation of a specialized Tariff and Trade Unit within the GRA, which has been tasked with overseeing the implementation of free trade agreements, including AfCFTA.

"Management has shown strong commitment by establishing this unit to ensure that we are adequately prepared to handle AfCFTA, alongside other trade agreements like the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), the Ghana-EU Partnership Agreement, and the Ghana-UK Partnership Agreement," Mr. Dabrah added.

In reinforcing the role of Customs in facilitating trade, Mr. Dabrah said his outfit will continue to strictly enforce the division's risk management approach, which includes selective inspections of goods and post-clearance audits. He assured that while Customs would maintain its focus on trade facilitation, it would not compromise on the necessary controls to ensure compliance with the rules of origin.

"Our systems are designed to detect irregularities, but at the same time, we are working to make the process smoother for compliant traders," he said.Mr. Dabrah praised the over 60 Ghanaian companies that have been approved to trade under AfCFTA, noting Ghana’s participation in the first guided trade under the agreement as a milestone.

The Customs Division, as the designated competent authority, is responsible for inspecting and certifying goods manufactured in Ghana before issuing certificates of origin, ensuring that they meet AfCFTA strict standards.

The Acting Head of Tariff and Trade Unit at the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), CRO Jonathan Dabrah stressed the importance of collaboration between customs administrations, customs brokers, and the private sector across AfCFTA member states.

He said his outfit will continue to champion the cause for increased collaboration and continuous training of key players in order to foster a robust and thriving trade environment for Ghana and its trading partners under the agreement.