Management of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has described as misleading, disingenuous a publication in the Herald newspaper which claimed that “GRA auctioning COCOBOD’s chemicals, fertilizers, others” dated 2nd February, 2024.
The newspaper had reported that Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) unable to pay import duties on some agro chemicals, fertilizers and implements to be used in enhancement of cocoa farming and this has led to an auction of these items by GRA resulting in dire implications to the cocoa season.
However, a rejoinder issued by the Management said the story by the paper sought to draw conclusions not founded on facts.
“The facts are that in April and May 2023, some agrochemicals and other items were imported into the country by COCOBOD. These items overstayed at the State Warehouse and as a result, were sent to the Uncleared Cargo List (UCL).
Thereafter, the items were gazetted as the law demands. However, because the agro products are essential commodities needed for effective running of the operations of COCOBOD, they were not allocated to a different entity. As such, although the containers were under UCL, GRA carefully considered the request from COCOBOD and the key role it plays in the economy of Ghana and restored the items to them.
COCOB0D has therefore paid the required duties on the agro chemicals. No agro
product of COCOBOD has therefore been auctioned, ” it said.
It has therefore asked the general public to disregard this false publication and verify
any such information before publication.
“We further state that GRA recognizes the
contribution of COCOBOD to the development of the country and will therefore not carry
out any action that is detrimental to its operations while at the same time ensuring that the Tax laws are applied fairly.
Management of GRA wishes to assure the public that we are committed to our mandate
of revenue mobilization with integrity, fairness and professionalism, ” it concluded.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
