Customs revenue from the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) is bound to see a major boost as the Terminal three begins operations.
Officials of the GRA are hopeful that the potential increase in fleet should translate into increased revenue for the Authority.
The Terminal three will accommodate all international flights to and from Ghana.
The facility is also part of the country’s vision to become an aviation hub within the sub region.
Speaking after a tour of the facility, the Board Chair of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Harry Owusu explained how the new terminal will impact on revenue.
“We are basically involved in facilitation, protection of borders and securing revenue and each of these three activities complement each other and I believe that with the increase in traffic flow, revenue will increase correspondently but it will depend on how quickly we adopt to changes in technology and others,” he observed.
A major challenge for the customs unit at the airport is the issue of smuggling.
Responding to this, Mr. Owusu was hopeful of stopping the phenomenon with the new facility.
“You realize that a whole lot of scanners have been installed and with the new orientation of the GRA, our staff have been primed to work more assiduously than before so they will complement the machines and ensure that revenue is protected and enhanced,” the Board Chair noted.
Deputy Trade and Industry Minister, Carlos Ahenkorah also tells Citi Business News how the new facility will improve trade facilitation.
The Terminal three project is funded by a 120 million dollar loan from the African Development Bank.
President Akufo Addo is expected to officially inaugurate the facility on October 2.
“If you have facilities such as this one where security is the main stay, many airlines mainly cargo, will like to utilize such as an airport. As I speak today, DHL for instance has a hub in Nigeria-Lagos, who knows maybe UPS or Fedex is looking at putting up a hub somewhere within West Africa and as it can be seen, a facility such as this provides that kind of situation and it is going to be that kind of platform for any of these cargo airlines to be able to set this place as a hub,” Mr. Ahenkora said.
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By: Pius Amihere Eduku/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana