Task force uncovers GHS700m fraud at bonded warehouses

A presidential task force has uncovered massive fraud being perpetrated on the state by some companies operating in the country.

This has been uncovered by the special operations unit headed by the Chief of Staff Prosper Bani. A document cited by JOY NEWS reveals a number of top companies, including state agencies, did not pay import duties before clearing their goods from bonded warehouses.

Some of the major culprits cited in the report are the United Steel Company Limited, Hippo Group of Companies, Eurofoods, Trusty Foods and Movelle Company Limited. Others are B5 Plus Limited, CCTC Ghana Limited and Dry Food Company Limited.

Some state agencies such as the Electricity Company of Ghana, Tema Oil Refinery and the Ministry of Communications have also been implicated in the report.

The companies have managed to escape payment of approximately Gh¢735 million import duties at bonded warehouses between 2005 and 2012 by conniving with officials of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

The imports are often kept in bonded warehouses manned by customs officials.

The companies are supposed to pay duties before clearing them. Sources close to the task force, however say the companies succeeded in compromising customs officials and cleared the goods without paying a pesewa to the state.

Some of the companies Joy News has contacted say they are cooperating with authorities on the matter. Latext Foam, has however denied any wrongdoing.

A presidential Staffer, Dr Clement Apaak, says government is treating the matter very seriously.