The Ghana Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority has received two specially trained English Springer Spaniels—Albi and Halter dogs—to enhance border security and improve the detection of illicit goods at entry points across the country.
The dogs, bred and trained in the United Kingdom, are highly skilled in detecting narcotics, firearms, and concealed currency. Their deployment is expected to significantly boost the Customs Division’s capacity to combat trans-border crime, deter smuggling activities, and improve revenue collection at borders and international ports.
The initiative is part of a broader international collaboration supported by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), the European Union, and the Swiss Development Corporation.
The K9 units were officially handed over during a brief ceremony attended by key stakeholders.
Brigadier General Glover Ashong Annan, Commissioner of Customs, hailed the arrival of the K9 dogs as a milestone in the Customs Division’s efforts to modernise border security operations.
He assured stakeholders that the dogs will be deployed effectively and ethically by specially trained handlers to maximise their impact.
“This handover marks an important step in our long-standing collaboration with international partners aimed at strengthening border security and enhancing revenue collection,” Brigadier General Annan stated.
Speaking on behalf of the Programme for Accountability, Integrity and Rule of Law and Development (PAIReD), Astrid Kohl, the Programme Manager, emphasised the significance of the support.
She noted that the arrival of the dogs symbolises the strong partnership between the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and its development partners.
“These detection dogs will strengthen the Customs Division’s ability to detect and prevent the entry of illicit goods, contributing to national security and economic growth,” Kohl said.
She added that the initiative forms part of the broader Good Governance Programme, which is implemented in collaboration with Ghanaian institutions, the German government, the European Union, and the Swiss Development Corporation.
The programme aims to promote integrity, accountability, and the rule of law within Ghana’s democratic and governance structures.
Kohl concluded by affirming the critical role of the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Customs Division in driving reforms that foster transparency and national development.
