The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) will from Friday 21 October 2022, begin the auctioning of vehicles on an online platform.
The platform known as the E-Auction module on the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) will be piloted with the auction of selected vehicles.
All interested persons can log onto http://auction.icums.gov.gh to view the advertised vehicles.
The online platform is expected to eliminate corruption associated with auctioning of goods at the ports.
Speaking at a ceremony to launch the GRA service charter last week, the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Rev Amisshadai Owusu Amoah said prospective vehicle buyers will go online to make bids without appearing physically.
He said his outfit was working to implement the new initiative as part of efforts to prevent revenue losses that emanate from the auctioning process.
“We’re working to improve our services through various online and technology platforms such as that customers will feel comfortable dealing with us,” the Commissioner-General said.
“We have the E-VAT, E-invoicing and other innovative means which customers are able to pay taxes and avoid some alleged corruption in our various offices. Another initiative is that by the end of October, we want to begin an E-Auction at the ports so that if you want to buy a car, just be home and click to search the kind of car you want without coming to the port”.
Rev Amoah said that customers will make payments immediately after their bids are electronically approved.
OSP’s green light
Last month, the Office of the Special Prosecutor said the Customs Division of the GRA could commence the auction of vehicles and other goods after a halt during a corruption investigation.
The OSP is investigating suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of auction sales of vehicles and other goods by the Customs Division between 1 July 2016 and 15 August 2022.
On 19 August 2022, the Special Prosecutor directed the Commissioner of Customs Division to halt and discontinue all auction sales in aid of facilitating an investigation into suspected corruption and corruption-related offences in respect of auction sales of vehicles and other goods between 1 July 2016 and 15 August 2022.
A statement dated 12 September 2022, and issued by the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng said the directive had been reviewed:
“The Customs Division may commence auction sales of vehicles and other goods from Monday 12 September 2022.
“The auction sales should be conducted strictly in accordance with legal requirements, especially the provisions of the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891).
“The Customs Division should cooperate and work closely with authorised officers of the Office of the Special Prosecutor in respect of the investigation and the conduct of auction sales.
“The Office of the Special Prosecutor reminds all officers of the Customs Division and prospective bidders at the subsequent auctions that the investigation is still active and ongoing.”
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