Customs cautions exporters on banned items

The Commissioner of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr Wallace Akondoh, has cautioned exporters to desist from exporting illegal items including ferrous metal scraps.

Mr Akondoh, who was visiting the premises of the Meridian Ports Services (MPS) at the Tema Port to inspect 43 detained containers containing the banned ferrous metal scraps, said recalcitrant exporters would be prosecuted.

Ghana per the Prohibition of Export Regulations of 2013, LI 2201, banned the exportation of ferrous scrap to enable the country to feed the local steel industry. The Commissioner also reminded masters of vessels and their agents to ensure that items they carry for international trade conform to the country's export laws.

He stated that a three-member committee has been set up by his outfit to review the export processes to ensure that all loopholes are sealed to prevent exportation of banned items.

On the 43 detained containers, the Customs Commissioner indicated that the containers would be immediately evacuated to the State Warehouse while investigation is carried out to ascertain the proper quantum of the ferrous scrap.

He added that even though Customs was yet to apprehend the owners of the containers, favourable links to them had been established.

Mr Akondoh said Customs officials quickly moved in and seized the containers after receiving intelligence that they were about to be loaded onto a vessel.