The Ghana Revenue Authority will begin auctioning off vehicles on an online platform from Friday, October 21, 2022.
The intention is to help eradicate corruption related to the auctioning of goods at ports.
Selected vehicles will be auctioned off as part of a pilot programme for the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) platform known as the E-Auction module.
Anyone with an interest can visit http://auction.icums.gov.gh.
At a ceremony last week to introduce the GRA Service Charter, Commissioner-General of the GRA Rev. Amisshadai Owusu Amoah said potential car buyers would place bids online without physically attending the event.
Considering that there is no requirement for physical appearance, it will also give potential car buyers the chance to submit bids whenever it is convenient for them.
Customers can make payments immediately after their bids are electronically approved.
JoyNews in 2020 reported that Ghana loses thousands of cedis as a result of confiscated cars being auctioned cheaply to people who are politically connected.
At least in one case, the duty on a vehicle was found to have been paid for by the Office of the President.
In another instance, only GH¢25,000 was paid on a vehicle when the estimated duty ought to have been GH¢80,000.
It will also be recalled that in September 2022, the Office of the Special OSP paved the way for the Customs Division of the GRA to commence the auction of vehicles and other goods.
This was after an initial directive issued on August 19, 2022, for the authorities to halt such activities following suspected corruption are politically connected.
At least in one case, the duty on a vehicle was found to have been paid for by the Office of the President.
In another instance, only GH¢25,000 was paid on a vehicle when the estimated duty ought to have been GH¢80,000.
It will also be recalled that in September 2022, the Office of the Special OSP paved the way for the Customs Division of the GRA to commence the auction of vehicles and other goods.
This was after an initial directive issued on August 19, 2022, for the authorities to halt such activities following suspected 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 for the kind of car you want without coming to the port,” he added.
Source: The Independent Ghana