A pull-out ceremony has been held in honour of Assistant Commissioner Felicia Dadeboe Azuma, outgoing Sector Commander of the Aflao Collection of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), in recognition of her distinguished service and contributions to revenue mobilisation and border security.
The ceremony, which brought together customs officers, traditional authorities, cross-border trade stakeholders and members of the Aflao community, celebrated Assistant Commissioner Azuma’s achievements, ethical leadership, institutional reforms and dedication to women’s empowerment and national development.
In her farewell address, Assistant Commissioner Azuma described her tenure at Aflao as one of the most defining periods of her career, saying the responsibility she assumed was both demanding and sobering.
She recalled that she took office at a time when the revenue environment required urgent intervention due to economic pressures, fluctuating cross-border trade volumes, compliance challenges and persistent smuggling activities that threatened revenue performance.
She said rather than being discouraged, she remained focused on reversing negative trends through discipline, innovation and operational efficiency.
“Through enhanced compliance enforcement, intelligence-led operations, stakeholder engagement, and strict supervision and monitoring at our operational points, the trend gradually reversed,” she said.
Assistant Commissioner Azuma credited the successes chalked during her leadership to teamwork and collaboration.
She urged her successor and officers of the Aflao Collection to continue to uphold unity, professionalism and cooperation in delivering on their mandate.
She expressed gratitude to the management of GRA, officers under her command, traditional authorities and the Aflao community for the support extended to her throughout her service.
Torgbui Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti V, President of the Aflao Traditional Council, described Assistant Commissioner Azuma as a leader who served with exceptional dedication, discipline and incorruptible integrity.
He commended her for blending firm law enforcement with strong human relations, noting that her leadership strengthened trust between customs officials and the local community.
He said she consistently extended kindness and support to the Aflao community through various gestures and donations that positively impacted lives.
Participants at the event praised Assistant Commissioner Azuma for leaving behind a legacy of professionalism, accountability and service excellence.
They described her retirement as well-earned after years of devoted national service, and wished her good health, fulfilment and peace.
They expressed confidence that her impact on revenue mobilisation, ethical leadership and community relations would endure long after her exit from active service.
Leadership forged by service and knowledge
Assistant Commissioner Azuma’s career began in 1992 during a period of institutional transformation marked by the introduction of the ASYCUDA system. Starting as a Data Entry Clerk, she built her career from the ground up, mastering precision, accountability and operational discipline.
Believing in knowledge-driven leadership, she pursued legal education alongside her work, earning a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of Ghana and being called to the Bar in 2004 after training at the Ghana School of Law.
Between 2004 and 2010, she practised as an associate lawyer, strengthening her analytical skills and deepening her understanding of statutory interpretation—competencies that later enhanced her effectiveness in enforcing customs laws.
She further advanced her expertise with a Master’s degree in Conflict, Peace and Security from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, as well as specialised training from Stellenbosch University, GIMPA and SGS Ghana.
These qualifications shaped her as a well-rounded customs professional, legal practitioner and security strategist.
Her rise through the Customs Division saw her serve in several strategically important stations, including Customs Headquarters, Tema, Kotoka International Airport, Ho, Sunyani and Aflao.
Her leadership—marked by firmness, intelligence-led decision making and a people-centred approach—earned her a strong reputation for delivering results under complex conditions.
She also served on the Regional Security Committee (REGSEC) and chaired the Border Security Committee, where she promoted inter-agency cooperation and led actions against smuggling and transnational crime.
A strong advocate for women in Customs, she mentored young officers, supported inclusive workplace policies and championed initiatives that empowered women to aspire to leadership roles..
In 2025, she became the first Ghanaian Customs Officer to be recognised by the World Customs Organization as one of the 13 most successful women in Customs globally, and was also named Most Outstanding Female Customs Officer at the Ghana Women’s Awards.
Her legacy, colleagues said, is defined by integrity, courage and a lifelong commitment to service.