The Office of Special Prosecutor (OSP) has expressed satisfaction with investigations into auctions of vehicles and other goods by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The investigations began in August following a report into Labianca Company Limited’s failure for years to pay duties on imported food products.
That investigation led to the dismissal of the Commissioner of Customs, Colonel Kwadwo Damoah (rtd).
The OSP recovered over GH¢1 million from the Company, which is owned by Council of State member Eunice Jacqueline Asomah-Hinneh.
The Office called for wider investigations into the Customs Division of the GRA and demanded a copy of integrity plans to prevent corruption.
“The Special Prosecutor further directed the Commissioner of the Customs Division to immediately halt and discontinue all auction sales till the investigation is concluded,” a statement issued by the Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, ordered.
But in a statement on Thursday, December 29, Mr Agyebeng said “following its various investigations and interventions at the Customs Division, the Government has reversed the discretionary discount on the free on board (FOB) value of goods and the home delivery value (HDV) of vehicles effective 1 January 2023”.
“The new policy effectively shuts all avenues for officers of the Customs Division to grant discretionary markdowns and removes opportunity for corruption and corruption-related activities.”
The statement insisted that the various investigations by the OSP at the Customs Division will still proceed without hindrance “and the Office will monitor the implementation of the new policy”.
