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Accra, Ghana - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner and Dr. Nii Noi Ashong, Minister of State, Finance and Economic Planning, today signed a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement (CMAA) that will assist the two countries in the prevention and investigation of Customs offenses.

This Agreement provides a basis for cooperation and investigation in the areas of security, commercial fraud, narcotics smuggling and export control and will be mutually beneficial to the Customs Administrations of the United States and Ghana by enhancing their abilities to enforce Customs laws.

"The signing of this Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement formalizes an excellent existing working relationship and further strengthens the cooperation between the governments of the United States of America and Ghana and of our respective Customs Administrations," said Commissioner Bonner.

U.S. domestic laws, and most foreign national laws, do not permit disclosure of much information in the absence of a formal agreement or treaty. The CMAA will allow the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to exchange information, intelligence, and other assistance with Ghana.

"Bilateral relations between the United States of America and Ghana go back a long way, and thus this agreement comes after many years of cooperation on other issues, including the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act. We at the Ministry of Finance believe that the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service will gain immensely from this agreement -- in access to training and modern technology -- and the Ministry supports the agreement completely," said Dr. Nii Noi Ashong, Minister of State, Finance and Economic Planning.

"International trade and criminal activity are increasing so rapidly. It is essential for us to establish a network of agreements between Customs agencies to share information for facilitating trade and for law enforcement purposes," Commissioner Bonner said. "Everyone wins when we establish mechanisms for mutual cooperation to promote international trade and thwart criminal activity."

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has signed agreements with a number of other Customs administrations. As of this date, 53 agreements have been signed.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is an agency within the Department of Homeland Security that unifies U.S. Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors and the U.S. Border Patrol.