Expose imposters - Special Task Force tells importers

The Presidential Special Operations Task Force on Sunday appealed to agents, companies, entities and individuals to report people who claim to have powers from the Presidency to clear their goods for them.

It has also directed that goods imported through the ports, be cleared by consignees within the stipulated time frame of 30 and 21 days for general and perishable goods respectively.

A statement issued by the Task Force, and signed by Dr Clement Apaak, Spokesperson, and copied to the Ghana News Agency said, the measures were geared towards de-congesting the country's ports, and to eliminate all forms of malfeasance.

President John Dramani Mahama, last year formed a special revenue Task Force, led by Mr Prosper Douglas Bani, Chief of Staff, and mandated it to carry out some investigations and plug loopholes that had over the years dissipated and misdirected government revenue into individual pockets.

Apart from that, the Task Force was to report all kinds of financial malpractices to the appropriate authorities, and when necessary, to arrest and prosecute all culprits.

Dr Apaak said goods that are not cleared within the stipulated days would be placed on uncleared Cargo List, gazetted and disposed off through public auction in accordance with existing laws and regulations of the land.

He added:"It should however be noted that the process has already started, and goods and cargo already placed on the uncleared cargo list and have been gazetted, would require a permit prior to any attempts by consignees or their agents to clear them."

The spokesperson said "some unscrupulous persons" who go about using the name of the President's Special Task Force, or the Presidency, claiming they have the powers to clear goods for companies and individuals, would be dealt with ruthlessly, and tasked the public not to hesitate to report people who have already defrauded them.

He gave the assurance that, the Task Force in collaboration with its stakeholders, would work hard to expose and eliminate all kinds of malpractices that had bedeviled business at the country's ports and harbours.