The Deputy Minister for the Interior, Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, has called for strict adherence to the guidelines and standards governing the importation, retrofitting, use and decommissioning of Armoured Bullion Vehicles (ABVs) in Ghana.
He made the call during a one-day sensitisation workshop for officers of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in Accra.
Mr Terlabi stressed that effective regulation of armoured bullion vehicles is essential to protecting public safety, strengthening national security, facilitating legitimate trade and ensuring compliance with Ghanaian laws and regulations.
According to him, Customs officers have a critical role in ensuring that armoured bullion vehicles and related security equipment entering Ghana meet all applicable legal, technical and safety requirements.
Compliance must extend beyond importation
The Deputy Interior Minister emphasised that regulatory compliance should not end once an armoured bullion vehicle has been imported and cleared.
He said the requirements must be observed throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle, including during retrofitting, operation and eventual decommissioning.
He also stressed the need for ABVs to be operated in line with applicable safety, security and technical standards.
Mr Terlabi called for stronger collaboration among the GRA Customs Division, Ghana Police Service, Bank of Ghana and other relevant institutions, particularly on vehicle certification, roadworthiness, technical standards and security requirements.
He urged participants at the workshop to use the programme to exchange practical experiences and clarify issues that could help ensure consistent implementation of the guidelines across Customs commands and posts.
He also encouraged Customs officers to develop a clear understanding of the requirements relating to the declaration, documentation, classification, valuation, inspection and clearance of ABVs, while ensuring that legitimate businesses are facilitated in accordance with the law.
GRA calls for stronger coordination
The Deputy Commissioner for Post Clearance Audit at the GRA Customs Division, Alphonse Qauinoo, said Customs cannot effectively regulate ABVs in isolation because several aspects of the vehicles involve technical standards, security, certification and roadworthiness.
He said successful implementation of the guidelines would therefore require clear coordination among all relevant stakeholders while maintaining the integrity of Customs processes.
The sensitisation workshop forms part of broader efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight of armoured bullion vehicles in Ghana and ensure effective implementation of standards governing their importation, retrofitting, use and decommissioning.
