TAKORADI CEPS EXCEEDS TARGET (SPREAD, JAN 26)

The Takoradi Collection of the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) exceeded its revenue target by 11.5 per cent for the year ending December, 31, 2008.
Although a target of GH¢79 million was set more than GH¢ 91 million was collected at the end of the period.
Speaking at the end-of-year awards night for staff in Takoradi, the Sector Commander, Mr Anthony K. Sewor, said the continuous positive achievements at the sector could largely be attributed to the vigilance and hard work of members of staff.
He described 2008 as challenging for the Takoradi Collection, saying “in the face of these challenges, revenue collection was not bad and the performance of the import sector was very impressive.”
The sector commander said the performance would have been higher if the petroleum sector had lived up to its projected figure. “Under the petroleum sector, our target was to collect about GH¢43 million but unfortunately we collected only GH¢28.9 million.”
He said the sector was on the edge of performing better this year. “This is because we have started on a good note. Before the end of the first month of the year, we have already collected GH¢11 million.
He said despite their busy schedules and ensuring that revenue due the nation was collected, Takoradi collection also engaged in many social projects to make life a little better its hosts in the Western and Central regions.
Mr Sewor, who is proceeding on his terminal leave this year, after 32 years service, commended officers for helping him achieve the set targets for the collection and urged them not to relax but rather continue to ensure that the sector collected enough revenue for the nation.
The Chief Director at the Western Regional Coordinating Council, Mr David Yaro, reminded the officers that the expectations of Ghanaians could not be met if there was no sound economic base.
He said the call for more schools, hospitals and other development projects as well as the extension of social services to communities could not be met when the national kitty was not sound.