LRA Strengthens Customs Officers’ Technical Capacity in Ganta
IPNEWS: The Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), through its Customs Department, has begun the second phase of a weeklong refresher training in Ganta, Nimba County, to strengthen the technical capacity of Customs officers, improve border management, facilitate legitimate trade, and support domestic revenue mobilization.
The practical, skills-based training forms part of the LRA’s ongoing investment in professional development and Customs modernization. It is designed to strengthen officers’ ability to consistently apply Customs laws and procedures, improve operational efficiency, and enhance service delivery at ports and borders across the Country.
More than 30 participants from Customs Business Offices across Liberia are attending the training, along with representatives from the Communication, Media and Public Affairs Section, Taxpayer Services Division, and Internal Audit Department.
Participants are receiving intensive instruction in key areas of Customs administration, including Customs valuation, Harmonized System (HS) tariff classification, rules of origin, practical Customs examination procedures, and other core Customs processes.
Customs valuation, HS classification, and rules of origin are critical to determining the appropriate tariff treatment and customs duty on imported goods. Strengthening expertise in these areas is increasingly important as Liberia participates in regional and continental trade arrangements, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) among others.
Participants are also undergoing assessments to measure their baseline knowledge and track improvements in their understanding of the course content.
Speaking at the opening of the training on Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner for Customs Ports Operations Edwin F. Kendema urged participants to actively engage facilitators, ask questions, and make full use of the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and practical skills.
Kendema emphasized that the LRA’s investment in staff development should translate into greater technical competence, consistent application of Customs procedures, and improved service delivery to importers, Customs brokers, and other stakeholders.
“Customs officers must embrace continuous learning and professional enhancement, using relevant laws, procedures, and technical expertise to provide accurate guidance to stakeholders,” Kendema said.
The ongoing training forms part of the LRA Customs Department’s broader capacity-building and modernization efforts to strengthen technical competencies, promote consistent application of Customs procedures, and enhance compliance with national laws and international Customs standards across Liberia’s ports and borders.
Through continued investment in professional development, the LRA is building a skilled, professional, and accountable Customs workforce capable of facilitating legitimate trade, safeguarding government revenue, enhancing border management, and supporting sustainable domestic revenue mobilization and to support national development.
