Sunyani (B/A), Jan 10, GNA- The Sunyani Collection branch of the Customs Exercise and Preventive Service (CEPS) exceeded its revenue target of 21.7 billion cedis last year by a margin of 54 million cedis, representing 0.25 percent.

Sheik Osman Gimba, the Acting Sector Commander, disclosed this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on Wednesday at Sunyani. He said though the figure was minimal, it was comparatively better than in 2005, when his outfit collected 19.76 billion cedis out of the targeted 26.9 billion cedis.

The Acting Commander explained that the political stability in La Cote d'Ivoire, where the bulk of the revenue was derived, contributed much to the "little success chalked".

"The sector also changed their strategy by expanding its preventive operations to cover anti smuggling activities, which yielded the needed results", Sheik Gimba added.

He said tax education campaigns were intensified during the year to encourage more people to comply with the tax laws, adding that other incentives to motivate staff members was also initiated. Sheik Gimba said the sector seized 155 vehicles and 402 pieces of imitated wax prints, which were later, sold to the public.

He advised the public to bring second-hand vehicles they purchase to the CEPS offices to check the authenticity of the documents covering it as well as contacting the appropriate officers "and not just any officer in uniform they would see at the premises".

Sheik Gamba appealed to the public to report any suspicious activities to his outfit, promising that their identity would be protected and rewards given to them as well. 10 Jan 07