The Ghana Free Zones Authority has said it does not condone illegality and, so, will support the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in carrying out its mandate of policing goods entering and exiting all Free Zone areas.

The Commissioner-General of the GRA had alleged at a press conference that COMET Ghana Limited, a free zones enterprise, had diverted goods from a free zones enclave meant for export to Paga in the Northern Region.

However, the Executive Secretary to the Ghana Free Zones Authority, Mr Michael Okyere Baafi, has said in a statement that the Authority “does not condone any illegal acts”.

The Authority said it has taken some measures and steps including contracting an independent consultancy to audit all licensed duty-free shops and manufacturing companies of household plastic products, found to have violated the Free Zone Act, 1995 (ACT504) and its supporting regulations.

“The Authority wishes to state unequivocally that Free Zones Enterprises are generally compliant to the Free Zones regulations. The culpability of one Free Zone company in wrongdoing should not provide justification for condemning the entire Free Zone scheme. The implementation of the Free Zones policy has created a significant amount of direct and indirect employment and has contributed immensely to the economy of Ghana,” the statement said.

The Authority has urged all its stakeholders to offer it the needed support to realise its mission.

GFZA further assured all law-abiding Free Zones enterprises that the Ghana Free Zones Authority and its stakeholders will continue to create the conducive environment for their businesses to thrive.