Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) has expressed outrage over alleged extortion by elements within the Ashanti Region Task Force of the Ghana Customs Service.
TAGG wants authorities to address the ongoing practice since it is undermining business operations.
At a press conference, David Kwadwo Amoateng, President of Traders Advocacy Group Ghana, expressed traders’ displeasure with the establishment of the task force, which they say is ostensibly designed to conduct further checks on containers cleared at various ports in Ghana.
He questioned the necessity of an additional task force, asking if existing mechanisms are not being efficiently implemented.
Mr. Amoateng expressed concern that the alleged extortion is a repeat of past issues, despite assurances from the current government to address corruption.
He stated that should the business community be negatively impacted, it would be exceptionally difficult for any government to maintain public support.
He stated that the system that was originally introduced to check goods after clearance from the ports has now become a tool for harassment and illegal payments.
“However, we later realized that this task force had fundamentally transformed into an extortion force…” he said.
He specifically mentioned a case involving an officer identified as Prince Daniels Mensah Odai, accused of extorting 40,000 cedis from an importer transporting two containers to Kumasi after lawful clearance at Tema.
“He reportedly initiated a demand at 120,000 Ghana cedis per that 40 feeter container. Later settling on 40,000 which he allegedly accepted from the importer via mobile money and cash at hand” Nana Poku alleged.
“We demand an investigation, a full audit of the task forces, transparent valuation procedures, and a safe channel for reporting corruption” he added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
