This figure is an increase of 84 percent of the 2016 target of 2.31 million Ghana cedis and it is a task which requires the cooperation of all stakeholders.

Mr Emmanuel Kwasi Dokpoe, Deputy Upper West Regional Commander of Customs, said this at a day’s tax education seminar held in Wa to educate and discuss some of the laws, procedures and applicable sanctions of the Customs Division of the GRA.

The forum was held under the theme: “Taxation as a key to Ghana’s Development”.

Mr Dokpoe said people using uncustomed vehicles and motorbikes have been given a one month window of opportunity to voluntarily go to the nearest Customs Office to pay the duties involved.

He said no monetary penalty would be imposed during the one month period but people who failed to take advantage of the dispensation would have their vehicles or motorbikes intercepted and a 300 percent penalty would be imposed on them in addition to the duty and taxes involved.

Mr Dokpoe said government’s directive to all customs barriers in the region have been opened effective July 31st 2017 to allow the free flow vehicles, goods and services.

He said barrier posts have now become patrol bases for their anti-smuggling and customs law enforcement points.

Mr Ebenezer Mensah, Chief Revenue Officer, Customs Division of GRA, who chaired the forum, said taxation was government’s main internal source of income for development and other pertinent needs.

He said taxation is the blood of any government and that no nation could do without taxes, hence the need to review the laws to address developments in the economy.