Deputy Interior Minister Calls for Strict Compliance with Armoured Bullion Vehicles Guideline
The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, has called for strict compliance with the Guidelines and Standards governing the importation, retrofitting, usage and decommissioning of Armoured Bullion Vehicles (ABVs) in Ghana.
Addressing participants at a one-day sensitisation workshop for the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in Accra, the Deputy Minister stressed the importance of effective regulation of ABVs to safeguard public safety, strengthen security, facilitate legitimate trade and ensure regulatory compliance.
Hon. Terlabi noted that Customs Officers have a critical responsibility to ensure that armoured bullion vehicles and associated security materials entering the country comply with established laws, regulations, standards and procedures.
The Deputy Minister emphasised that compliance should not end with the importation and clearance of the vehicles but must extend throughout their lifecycle, including retrofitting, usage and eventual decommissioning and also stressed the importance of ensuring that ABVs are operated in accordance with applicable safety, security and technical standards.
The Deputy Minister further called for strengthened inter-agency collaboration among the Customs Division, Ghana Police Service, Bank of Ghana and other relevant stakeholders, particularly in areas involving vehicle certification, roadworthiness, technical standards and security.
He urged participants to actively engage in the sensitisation programme by asking questions and sharing practical experiences to promote a common understanding and consistent implementation of the Guidelines and Standards across all Customs commands and posts, while developing a clear understanding of the requirements for the declaration, documentation, classification, valuation, inspection and clearance of ABVs and ensuring that legitimate businesses are facilitated in accordance with the law.
In his remarks, the Deputy Commissioner for Post Clearance Audit at the GRA Customs Division, Alphonse Qauinoo, stated that Customs cannot operate in isolation where technical standards, security, vehicle certification, roadworthiness and other regulatory matters are involved.
He added that the effective implementation of these Guidelines and Standards on ABVs will require clear coordination among all relevant stakeholders, while maintaining the integrity of Customs processes.
The one-day sensitisation workshop forms part of efforts to ensure the effective implementation of the Guidelines and Standards for Armoured Bullion Vehicles and to enhance regulatory oversight of their importation, retrofitting, usage and decommissioning in Ghana.
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