The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has fired back at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the illegally imported consignment of ammunition seized at the Tema port.
On Friday October 9, 2020 the Ghana police service and the customs Excise and preventive service unit seized a consignment of ammunition from Turkey that were imported illegally into the country.
This development alarmed majority of the citizenry including the main opposition party NDC. Consequently the National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi took to his official Facebook page commended the officers who impounded the consignment but also made claims of power play by some alleged Big men behind the scenes who were fighting for the release of the ammunition. He said “…Ghanaians deserve to know who illegally imported the said pistols and ammunition into the country and for what purpose…Ghanaians deserve to know the identity of the so-called “Big Men” who are pulling strings behind the scenes to get the consignment released,”
However in a statement released by the GRA on 11th October 2020 described the claims of the NDC as worrying, mischievous and premature any information that seeks to imply that the seized ammunition is being kept for onward release to some ‘big men’.
The Ghana Revenue Authority added that “After examination, eighteen (18) packages identified as restricted items were found in the container. These include 436 Pistols (Side Arms), 26 packs of 50 pieces of Ammunition and 1 (40ml) piece of Pepper Spray” were found though the container labelled as containing Personal Effects, Household Goods and a Carding Machine was flagged as ‘Red Channel”.
The statement read further “An inventory of the items was taken in the presence of officers of the Preventive Wing of the Customs Division (Intelligence & Examination Officer), Bureau of National Investigations, National Security and the Police. All representatives, including the clearing agent signed against the total number of arms and ammunition seized,”.
The statement concluded by affirming it that the outcome of the investigations by
the Police on the restricted items will be made public when it is concluded.
Filed by: Agaatorne Douglas Asaah.