Scandal Rocks Customs� As Seized Scrap Containers Found Empty

The contribution of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) towards the growth of the local steel industry has attracted a question mark, following an astonishing discovery at Tema. The 31 containers of ferrous scrap metals which had been seized at the Tema Heavy Industrial area were found empty, even though the containers remained in the custody of the revenue collection agency. This came to light when the Ministry of Trade and Industries issued a statement to dissociate itself from the impediments put in the way of the disposition of the seized items. Reports by the Ghana Steel Manufacturers Association which we monitored stated that the embarrassing situation occurred when one of the local steel companies, Special Steel Limited, was offered the seized scraps to purchase. On that day at about 10:00 am, a team of metal experts from the local steel industry were led by a Customs Officer to first inspect the contents of the containers, which were packed in the scrap yards of two companies, Everest Limited and Starh Limited. A representative of the local steel industry who was shocked at the turn of events stated that Customs have been tasked to police the port to ensure that the ban order is enforced, yet the ferrous scrap metals are shipped on daily basis in hundreds of containers. The 31 containers which were seized and remained in the custody of Customs could also not be protected for the industry to buy. He therefore called for intensive investigations into what happened that Customs allowed the scraps in containers with the agency�s own seals to be taken away. Nunya Amewode, the public relations officer of Customs, Tema, confirmed the story when he was contacted. According to him, they are conducting a thorough investigation into the scandal, and would therefore not say much until it is completed.