The Accra Mail says its own investigations have revealed that corruption is very much alive and flourishing in the business community.
"Indeed so bad is it that some members of the business community themselves are saying that enough is enough and siding with the media to help the President achieve his objectives."
The paper says after it broke the story on Gateway Services Limited, reactions were varied from importers. And, in a dramatic fashion two days ago, an importer stormed into its offices bulging with files and livid with indignation.
"Mr Editor," he said, "your story was perfect, they are killing Ghana really softly, softly." He then proceeded to exhibit one invoice after the other which he alleged the people at Gateway had colluded with him to falsify.
He would show the original invoice with a particular amount and the "new" invoice with reductions, usually by as much as one third. He said it was now common practice. "They actually ask you if you want to pay all that much money to the government," he lamented.
He told the Mail that even though he had personally "benefited" from the scam, his conscience had never been at peace and so when the story broke, he felt he should add his voice. "Gateway," he said, "deals with imports coming through the Tema Harbour and GSBV deals with imports coming through the Kotoka International Airport. They must all be probed."
