The United Kingdom and Ghana have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to deepen cooperation on customs administration. The agreement will support efforts to facilitate legitimate trade, strengthen compliance and contribute to economic growth.
The MoU marks the next phase of a long-standing partnership between HMRC and GRA. Over the past decade, the two organizations have worked together to strengthen tax administration directly supporting GRA’s compliance efforts and improving revenue mobilization, contributing to Ghana’s economic development.
The MoU establishes a framework for customs capacity building and technical assistance, with an initial focus on strengthening GRA’s Post Clearance Audit function. Delivered through HMRC’s Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, the partnership will support technical exchange, peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing, drawing on UK experience and international best practice in risk-based customs compliance.
As part of the wider UK-Ghana Growth Partnership, the agreement turns shared ambition into practical cooperation by supporting stronger customs systems, more efficient trade processes and better conditions for trade and investment.
Speaking about the signing, Terri Sarch, the UK’s Development Director, said: “The UK-Ghana Growth Partnership is about working together to unlock sustainable economic growth. This agreement brings together HMRC and the Ghana Revenue Authority in a practical partnership that supports more efficient trade, stronger customs systems and the movement of goods across borders. It is another example of how the UK and Ghana are building on a longstanding relationship to support jobs, investment and shared prosperity.”
Speaking about the partnership, Carol Bristow, Director for Borders & Trade at His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs said: “Modern customs administrations play a vital role in supporting economic growth, protecting revenue and enabling legitimate trade. Through HMRC’s Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, this new partnership with the Ghana Revenue Authority will bring together expertise from both organisations to support Ghana’s customs reform priorities and strengthen effective border management. It will build on more than a decade of successful collaboration between HMRC and the Ghana Revenue Authority, opening a new chapter of cooperation on customs, creating opportunities to share knowledge, develop capability and support sustainable, locally led reform. We look forward to working alongside our Ghanaian colleagues to deliver results for government, businesses and traders.”
Speaking on behalf of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Anthony Sarpong, Commissioner-General, said: “Effective customs administration is an important enabler of trade, investment and sustainable economic growth. This partnership with HMRC will support technical exchange and knowledge sharing as we advance Ghana’s customs modernisation agenda. The initial focus on Post Clearance Audit responds to a priority area for GRA and will help enhance efficiency, improve risk management and deliver better outcomes for traders and government. We look forward to building on our longstanding cooperation with the United Kingdom through this new phase of collaboration.”
Initial cooperation will focus on strengthening GRA’s Post Clearance Audit function, with scope for future collaboration in other priority areas of customs modernization.
