CEPS WARNS DRUG IMPORTERS (PAGE 29, JUNE 2, 2010)

THE Customs, Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) has indicated that the clearance of drugs through any entry point rather than the Kotoka International Airport and the Tema Port are not allowed and that such drugs will be seized.
According to the CEPS, drugs was the most commonly illegally imported goods and that it was only appropriate that prohibitive measures were intensified to safeguard people from patronising uncertified drugs that could jeopardise their health.
A senior CEPS officer at the Tamale Collection point, Mr. Asamoah Ntwum, who stated this also disclosed that the importation of wax prints into the country was limited to the Takoradi Port and that this formed part of measures by the government to protect the local textile industry from collapse.
The officer was speaking at the second importers forum held in Tamale. It was organised under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry in collaboration with the Ghana Standards Board and other stakeholders.
Among the topics discussed were the inspection of high risk goods and their challenges, the role of CEPS in the clearance of counterfeit and substandard goods and the destination inspection scheme-a tool for consumer protection.
Mr Ntwum said as a member of the World Trade Organisation, the CEPS was enjoined to enforce compliance with rules, standards, treaties and conventions of world bodies.
He said it was for these reasons that the CEPS had adopted some of these practices to ensure effective monitoring, tracking and facilitation of international trade, including trade in counterfeiting and substandard goods.
“These include the automation of clearance procedures and memoranda of understanding with La Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso to increase cooperation in monitoring transit goods,” the officer further indicated.
Mr Ntwum added that the CEPS also undertook additional roles as a border agency in using its competencies and authority to examine inbound and outbound cargo as well as detention of goods to enforce the law.
He said public expectation of their ability to combat trade in counterfeit and substandard goods was high, but they were unfortunately constrained in terms of logistics, funding and inadequate personnel but gave the assurance that, “in spite of these constraints, the process of re-engineering all aspects of CEPS’ operations is on course.”
The acting Northern Regional officer of the Ghana Standards Board, Mr. Eric Akoto, said that the board was established to ensure compliance of imported goods with established technical standards to prevent the introduction and distribution of sub-standard products into the Ghanaian market.
He also indicated that since August 2003, the board had been mandated by the Ministry of Trade and Industry to take over the inspection of all “High Risk Goods” that have serious health and safety implications on the consuming public.
“This is to ensure that the designated goods are suitable and safe for use before they are allowed for distribution and sale in the country,” Mr Akoto stated.
The officer however observed that, in achieving their mandate, the board would need to work in close collaboration with other regulatory bodies.