Cocoa smuggling on the increase

There is an unprecedented increase in the smuggling of cocoa, petrol and petroleum products along the border with Cote d'Ivoire at Sefwi-Kaase in the Joabeso-Bia District of the Western Region.

Mr. Paul Kwasi Kyere, an opinion leader, and Opanin Kwame Amponsah a prominent cocoa farmer, both from the area, told the Ghana News Agency on Thursday that the incidence would have serious repercussions on the economic policies of the government, "if it goes on unchecked".

They said the smugglers used unapproved routes and bush paths between Ahimakrom and Pillar 34, and accused some official personnel of complicity in the crime.

The two therefore, appealed to the government to institute effective measures that would ensure that smuggling was effectively checked.

Meanwhile, members of the anti-smuggling task force of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) youth wing at Sefwi-Kaase have arrested two suspected smugglers and handed them over to the police. The suspects were allegedly spotted carrying head loads of cocoa to Cote d'Ivoire.